Ayrshire Green Network Consultancy Study

D044/CD/V2/June 2011 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK Contents

1.0 Introduction Figures 1.1 Background to the Central Scotland Green Network Fig. 1 Central Scotland Green Network Location 1.2 National Planning Framework and Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Fig. 2 Ayrshire and Districts Location Plan 1.3 Background and Purpose of the Study Fig. 3 Study Area 1.4 Green Infrastructure Fig. 4 Planning and Environmental Designations 1.5 Study Team Fig. 5 Settlements with Population greater than 2000 Fig. 6 Irvine Bay Potential Green Network Sites 2.0 Context of Ayrshire Green Network Fig. 7 Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail 2.1 Planning Context Fig. 8 Existing Typology for Ayrshire 2.2 Socio-demographic profi le Fig. 9 Topography 2.3 Existing Initiatives Fig. 10 Sensitive Landscape Areas 2.4 Existing Green Networks Fig. 11 Landscape Character Areas Fig. 12 Designed Landscape Locations Fig. 13 Existing Woodland Locations 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features Fig. 14 Green Space Audit 3.1 Topography Fig. 15 Biodiversity 3.2 Landscape and Landscape Character Fig. 16 Corridors for Wildlife 3.3 Forestry, Woodland and Hedgerows Fig. 17 Heritage 3.4 Natural Heritage Assets Fig. 18 Geology of Arran 3.5 Built Heritage Assets and Archaeology Fig. 19 National Cycle Network 3.6 Road and Path Networks Fig. 20 Core Paths 3.7 Vacant and Disused Land Fig. 21 Green Travel Routes Fig. 22 Vacant and Derelict Land 4.0 GIS Mapping Process Fig. 23 Function Map Example – Trapping Air Pollutants 4.1 Methodology Fig. 24 Multifunctionality 4.2 Typology Maps Fig. 25 Benefi t Map Example – Health & Wellbeing 4.3 Functionality of Study Area Fig. 26 Needs Map Example – Trapping Air Pollutants 4.4 Benefi ts Fig. 27 Needs Fulfi lled and Not Fulfi lled Example – Trapping Air Pollutants 4.5 Needs Fig. 28 Needs Fulfi lled Map for Ayrshire 4.6 Needs Fulfi lled and Not Fulfi lled Fig. 29 Needs Not Fulfi lled Map for Ayrshire 4.7 Analysis Fig. 30 Needs Fulfi lled Example – Health and Wellbeing Fig. 31 Needs Not Fulfi lled Example - Health and Wellbeing 5.0 Principal Forces of Change Fig. 32 Communities within 300 metres of Greenspace / Accessible Countryside 5.1 Socio-economic Drivers and Funding Fig. 33 Business Locations 5.2 Private/Public Sector Partnership Working Fig. 34 Opencast Locations 5.3 Inspiring Communities, Organisations and Business Fig. 35 Population within 2 kms of a railway or bus station 5.4 Regeneration Priorities in Ayrshire Fig. 36 Health Deprivation 5.5 Links with CSGN Initiatives and Goals for the AGN Fig. 37 Action Plan 1 Core Area 5.6 Short and Long Term Management Fig. 38 Action Plan 2 North Coast Investment Area 5.7 Impact of Climate Change Fig. 39 Action Plan 3 Garnock Valley 5.8 Impact on Development and Planning Policy Fig. 40 Action Plan 4 Glasgow Link Fig. 41 Action Plan 5 Irvine Valley 6.0 Action Plans Fig. 42 Action Plan 6 A70/A76 Investment Corridor 6.1 Introduction Fig. 43 Action Plan 7 Doon Valley Investment Corridor 6.2 Vision for the Ayrshire Green Network Fig. 44 Action Plan 8 Carrick Coast Investment Corridor 6.3 Link Between GIS Needs Not Fulfi lled, CSGN and AGN Actions 6.4 Action Plans Appendices (Refer to separate A4 Document) Core Area Appendix A Potential Projects Investment Corridors Appendix B GIS Methodology and Summary of Terminology Appendix C Funding Sources 7.0 Recommendations Appendix D GIS Plans (Electronic Format) 7.1 Governance, Partnership and Management Appendix E Bibliography 7.2 Delivery and Timescale CONTENTS 0.0 1 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background to the Central Scotland Green Network

1.1.1 The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) is a national development within the National Planning Framework for Scotland which aims to make ‘a signiﬁ cant contribution to the country’s sustainable economic development’. It involves public agencies and stakeholders working together in Partnership to align their policies, programmes and actions to achieve a common aim. That aim is to change the face of Central Scotland by restoring and improving the rural and urban landscape of the area.

CSGN’s Vision for Central Scotland is that ‘By 2050, Central Scotland has been transformed into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality’.

1.1.2 A CSGN Partnership Board has been established to help drive forward development and delivery of the Green Network and to allow representation from various constituencies to ensure wide participation and involvement in the initiative. The CSGN will connect green and blue spaces in our towns and cities with the wider countryside and coast. It will be made up of the following:

• Parks, public spaces (formal and informal) and gardens (public and private), street trees, green roofs and green walls in urban areas • Networks of natural and semi-natural habitats, such as woodlands, hedgerows and peatland, in the countryside and linking into the urban areas • Rivers, streams, ponds, wetlands and man-made structures such as canals and ‘sustainable urban drainage systems’ (blue spaces) • The cliffs, beaches and marshland which form our coastline • Existing path and cycle networks and greened transport corridors.

1.1.3 To be successful, work aimed at delivering the CSGN needs to respect 10 principles which deﬁ ne what the CSGN is and its relationship to sustainable economic growth. In addition ﬁ ve themes have been developed by CSGN to provide direction to deliver the vision. Detail of CSGN’s Principles and Themes can be found at http://centralscotlandgreennetwork.org/

1.2 National Planning Framework and Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan

1.2.1 The need for coordinated action to support economic development and regeneration within Central Ayrshire is identiﬁ ed in the National Planning Framework II and the approved Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan – Growing A Sustainable Ayrshire. The Joint Structure Plan Development Framework sets the long term strategic land use framework and recognises that all parts of Ayrshire have a vital contribution to make to the area’s future prosperity and quality of life. The framework comprises three interrelated elements including Core Investment Area, Investment Corridors and Local Communities (refer to Figure 3 – Study Area). The Core Investment Area focuses on the major towns of Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine whilst the Investment Corridors are primarily deﬁ ned by the main river valleys and main transport routes.

1.2.2 Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Policy ENV 4 seeks to develop and promote a Green Network for Ayrshire through:

• Good design, landscape and habitat enhancement associated with development, • Ensuring local development proposals within the Investment Corridors provide integral consideration of the landscape setting of communities as well as linking green spaces within and outside communities, • The three Councils preparing a Woodlands In and Around Towns Initiative to promote environmental regeneration and recreational access.

INTRODUCTION 1.0 2 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 1.0 Introduction

1.3 Background and Purpose of the Study 1.4 Green Infrastructure

1.3.1 The three Ayrshire Councils, as local planning authorities, are seeking to facilitate the implementation of the Central Scotland Green Network in Ayrshire. The Ayrshire Joint Planning Unit (AJPU) and Project Partners, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage recognised the need for an initial piece of work to scope out the:

• Options for organisational arrangements to deliver facilitation of the Green Network. • Extent and form of the existing green network within the study area. • Initial opportunities for its enhancement.

1.3.2 The study is the ﬁ rst step in the preparation of a strategy for the development and long term management of a high quality Green Network across the three administrative areas of Ayrshire. The strategy will be designed to establish the principles of the CSGN and to develop ideas to maximise social, economic and environmental beneﬁ ts.

1.3.3 This study which has involved considerable Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping and analysis for the whole of Ayrshire provides guidance on the following

The context of the Ayrshire Green Network (AGN) (section 2), this section describes the Planning Context, Socio-Demographic proﬁ le for Ayrshire, and Existing Initiatives that already provide considerable potential to develop green networks. (the reference to “Existing Green Networks” here and at para 2.4 is confusing as the report jumps about from setting the general context to presenting part of the detailed technical analysis before the section that explains the gis project)

Description of Existing Key Features and Green Network Assets (section 3) – understanding of Ayrshire’s considerable existing green assets is vital to the study, this section describes the topography, geology, landscape and landscape character, forestry and woodlands, natural heritage assets, built heritage assets and archaeology. Figure 1 Central Scotland Green Network Location GIS Mapping Process and Analysis (section 4) – this section describes the methodology used for the mapping process and examples of the process. 1.4.1 The term “Green Infrastructure Planning” is increasingly being recognised as an essential part Identifi cation of the Principles Forces of Change that may infl uence the establishment of sustainable spatial planning. Green Infrastructure is Ayrshire’s life support system. Green of Green Networks in Ayrshire (section 5) – socio-economic drivers and potential funding Infrastructure can be considered as comprising of green components which when linked together sources are examined as well as private/public sector partnership working, inspiring communities, form a Green Network. These components lie within and between the towns and villages and organisations and business, soft infrastructure, regeneration priorities for Ayrshire and the links to provide multiple social, economic and environmental benefi ts. the CSGN Initiatives and Goals. 1.4.2 In the same way that a transport system is made up of a network of roads, rail, airports etc green Establishing a Vision for the Ayrshire Green Network and Action Plans (section 6) – this infrastructure has its own physical components. This can be described as a Green Infrastructure section provides initial ideas for a Vision for the AGN and Action Plans for the Core Investment Area typology which includes woodlands, fi elds, hedgerows, street trees, open spaces, village greens, and Investment Corridors. The Action Plans are accompanied by Typology and Needs Mapping open countryside, mountains, moorlands and farmland, lochs, rivers and burns, cemeteries, for each area. allotments and urban farms etc.

The Future for AGN (section 7) - Recommendations for developing an AGN and mechanisms for 1.4.3 To maximise the social, economic and environmental beneﬁ ts of a Green Network for Ayrshire it is the future. important to understand the existing green infrastructure assets in the region. Green Infrastructure Planning is therefore vitally important in the creation of a joined up and cross regional approach Appendix A provides further more detailed consideration of the organisational arrangements which meeting the objectives of CSGN and improving the quality of life, develops high quality green may be required to take the Green Network concept forward. space and promoting active community engagement for all in Ayrshire.

INTRODUCTION 1.0 3 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 1.0 Introduction

1.4.4 Green Infrastructure is a core outcome of any regeneration programme involving land or water. As a planning tool, it is highly ﬂ exible and therefore can apply to all of the region’s urban and rural areas.

1.4.5 As described above GIS has been used as part of this study to map the existing green infrastructure for Ayrshire, as well as the functions, beneﬁ ts and needs of the green infrastructure. The terminology is described in more detail in section 4.0

1.5 Study Team

1.5.1 Ayrshire JPU commissioned TGP Landscape Architects in January 2011 to carry out the study. TGP’s team included:

TGP Landscape Architects Lead Consultant and Landscape Architects MD² LLP Green Infrastructure, Planning and Environmental Consultants The Mersey Forest GIS Specialists

GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL.

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS

M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. A70 / A76 CORRIDORS

DOON CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH)

Figure 2 Ayrshire and Districts Figure 3 Study Area

INTRODUCTION 1.0 4 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 Context of Ayrshire Green Network

2.1 Planning Context In NPF2, The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) is relevant to paragraphs 98, 105, 202, 228, Mao 10 and Annex - National Development 12. The NPF 2 (Action Programme) Action 22 specifi cally refers to development Introduction of the Central Scotland Green Network, an area based initiative, the extent of which is illustrated below. An objective of the study is to provide guidance on the options for working arrangements for delivering the six elements of the Central Scotland Green The timeline for CSGN’s establishment has followed this timeline: Network identifi ed in the National Planning Framework Action Plan in Ayrshire. An important element of the study therefore, is to review and understand the Date Action implications of the planning context at national, strategic and local level in relation to the development and long term management of a high quality Establishment of a CSGN Partnership or Working green network. Pre-December 2009 Group and fi nalisation of support arrangements for the group. The National Planning Framework for Scotland Partnership members agreed to include Forestry The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a strategy for the long-term Commission Scotland, Scottish National Heritage development of Scotland’s towns, cities and countryside over the next 20 Pre-December 2009 and Central Scotland Forestry Trust in concert with years, bringing greater certainty for both investors and planning practitioners. the Local Authorities and a wide range of other The NPF focuses on how development will be achieved through the delivery public sector and voluntary bodies. of key strategic infrastructure needs, including greenspace, to ensure that Inclusion of CSGN considerations in main issues each part of the country can develop to its full potential. A high quality 2009 onwards green network is a key indicator, linking ‘quality of place’ to ‘quality of life’, reports for relevant development bodies. economic growth and prosperity. The NPF strategy is supported by an Action Programme to ensure effective delivery, including how it will be achieved and Autumn 2010 Publication of vision, aims, goals and work plan. by whom. An NPF2 Monitoring Report will be published in 2011. Identifi cation of spatial priorities for development The National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2) was published on June 25 2009 2010 of the network and development of monitoring and as a requirement of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. It succeeds the evaluation framework. fi rst NPF, produced in 2004, and sets the spatial strategy for Scotland’s Outline report on resourcing the delivery and development to 2030 and designates 14 national developments of strategic 2010 management of the green network on the ground. importance to Scotland. It also requires planning authorities to take NPF2 into account in development plans and development management decisions. Outline report on the management of the green 2010 network. Within NPF2, in addition to contributing to national objectives, Ayrshire is identifi ed as having key strategic objectives: In terms of future goals, the following apply: • Strengthen the role of Ayrshire as Scotland’s western gateway, including improved strategic transport corridors and better connectivity. • Deliver regeneration focussed on the key towns of Ayrshire and former Date Action mining towns of East Ayrshire to promote regeneration and economic diversifi cation through investment in the knowledge economy, export- Inclusion of CSGN policies and maps in relevant oriented industries and the service sector, and to further develop the 2012 onwards development plans, associated programmes and cultural, business and activity based tourism. development management decisions. Contribution of the green network to a range NPF2 and the Central Scotland Green Network of Government and local authority outcomes 2012 recognised in relevant policy documents and The Ayrshire Joint Planning Unit and Ayrshire Councils intend to use the forward plans / programmes. outputs of this study as a key contributory element in the realisation of the Local actions to be confi rmed through supplementary existing and emerging Development Planning Framework. 2013 planning guidance and partnership agreements

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The Central Scotland Green Network contributes towards NPF2 in the following ways:

• Supports strong, sustainable growth for the beneﬁ t of all parts of Scotland. • Expands opportunities for communities and businesses by promoting environmental quality and good connectivity. • Promotes development which helps to reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint and facilitates adaptation to climate change. • Promotes development which helps to improve health, regenerate communities and enables disadvantaged community’s access opportunities. • Promotes more sustainable patterns of travel, transport and land use. • Conserves and enhances Scotland’s distinctive natural and cultural heritage.

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)

Within the context of NPF2, more detailed planning guidance is set out in the Scottish planning Policy (SPP), which similarly governs both preparation of planning policy and development management decisions. A large proportion of the SPP document is a summary of the preceding constituent SPPs or NPPGs, although there is a reﬁ nement and re-emphasis of policy aimed at developing a more efﬁ cient system. Some elements of national policy have changed however and these were the subject of consultation in the latter half of 2009. Principal additions to policy are:

1. A statement of the connection between the functioning of the planning system and pursuit of Sustainable economic Growth; and 2. Statutory guidance on sustainable development as deﬁ ned by Section 3E of the Planning Act including how the planning system can address issues of climate change.

Scottish Planning Policy and the Central Scotland Green Network

The implications of the SPP for the creation of the CSGN are that inter-connected networks of green space can be accommodated in the production of development plans as an integral part of delivering the objectives of sustainable economic growth in tandem with meeting climate change targets. These aims are not just included in speciﬁ c policies in the SPP, such as open space and recreation, but are embodied in the wider objectives of the policy as a whole. In turn, the creation of good quality sustainable places on the ground will be facilitated by ensuring that the green network is inextricably linked with the development management system.

The Development Plan for Ayrshire

Refer to Figure 4 – Planning and Environmental Designations

The Development Plan currently comprises the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan (2007) and associated Local Plans for each of the Ayrshire Districts of North, East and South Ayrshire. Together, these documents guide the development and use of land in the whole of the County, including types of development, how much will take place, where development will be positioned and where development will not be permitted. Figure 4 Planning and Environmental Designations The 2007 Structure Plan was originally intended to provide the strategic land use context and shared vision for the County until 2025. It is accompanied by a non-statutory Action Plan, to guide implementation of the plan. The framework comprises three inter-related elements, as follows:

• The Core Investment Strategy, focusing on the main towns of Ayrshire. • Investment Corridors, which encompass some of the main river valleys and transport routes. • A focus on Local Communities.

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Within the Core Investment Area, the Structure Plan promotes the inter- The following progress/timetable has been made for each of the Ayrshire dependence of good transport links between the separate towns, modern Districts: infrastructure and residential and business opportunities within an upgraded green landscape. Within the Investment Corridors, it is intended to link green District Date Action spaces within and between communities, to provide recreational, multi– purpose travel routes, to help develop integrated habitat networks and to 2009 Main Issues Report create well managed structural landscaping to support economic development and regeneration. More generally, development of the Green Network aims 2010 Proposed Plan to contribute to the improvement and maintenance of the landscape setting North Ayrshire for local communities in Ayrshire and Arran. 2011 Examination 2012 Adoption Each of the associated Local Plans for the Ayrshire Districts runs in line with the approved Structure Plan and guides the development and other use of 2010 Development Plan Scheme land at a more detailed level. These are: Issues Report, Monitoring Statement, 2011 North Ayrshire Engagements and Consultation East Ayrshire 2012 Plan and Action Programme • the North Ayrshire Local Plan (2005) Respond to Representations on Proposed • the Arran Local Plan (2005) 2013 Plan, Prepare Responses and Report of Conformity with Participation Statement. East Ayrshire 2010 Development Plan Scheme

• the East Ayrshire Local Plan (2010) Planning Forum • the East Ayrshire Opencast Subject Plan (2003) Local Development Plan Project Board South Ayrshire South Ayrshire Call for Sites/Identifying Development Priorities • the South Ayrshire Local Plan (2005) Main Issues Report The New Planning System - Local Development Plans South Ayrshire proposes to complete its By 2013 LDP The Planning Etc Act, Scotland (2006) heralded the introduction of a new planning system, which will replace the existing two tier system in due course. ‘Local Development Plans’ will cover geographical areas commensurate with the administrative areas of the three existing Ayrshire Local Authorities. They are intended to be strategic and local spatial planning documents to reﬂ ect each Council’s corporate vision in spatial terms. They will contain strategic policies and secure land zoning for speciﬁ ed uses (e.g. land for housing/ industry etc.) to provide increased certainty for development and in each plan, statutory supplementary guidance will be referred to that supports the provisions of the LDP. The intention of the new system, according to the 2005 White paper ‘Modernising the Planning System’, is that LDP’s will be;

• Concise, clear, simple and ﬁ t for purpose. • Map based: spatial, place-based, visionary. • Up-to-date: prepared quickly, updated frequently. • Early, efﬁ cient engagement: particularly with key players. • Delivery Focussed: realistic, linked to corporate agendas.

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2.2 Socio-Demographic Proﬁ le Economy

Refer to Figure 5 – Settlements with Population greater than 2000 • There has been substantial losses of employment in key sectors of the economy. • Recent improvements in company survival rates are a positive step in helping to grow indigenous talent and improving business performance. The birth rate of new ﬁ rms remains low. • GDP per head is below the Scottish and UK average. • In the longer term continued growth in retail expenditure is anticipated. • Passengers using Glasgow Prestwick International Airport has fallen signiﬁ cantly during the recession.

Demographics and Households

• Households have grown despite modest changes in population. • Population within Ayrshire is forecast to fall and age as a result of natural change and migration. • Along with the rest of Scotland there has been a signiﬁ cant drop in the volume and value of house sales.

Communities

• There remains a signifi cant disparity between and within communities. 21% of children in North Ayrshire live in ‘workless households’. • The majority of residents within Ayrshire perceive that they have well placed facilities and services. • The proportion of non car journeys to work has remained static in recent years. • Recorded crimes are falling. • Serious and fatal road accident casualties have fallen. • South Ayrshire is seen by its residents as a particularly good place to live. Ayrshire’s fi ne coastal microclimate is seen as a unique selling point, as is the County’s strong sports culture which includes junior football, sailing, cycling, outdoor activities, hill walking etc. • Though some derelict and urban vacant land has been brought back into use, the total area remains stable (some 409 sites classifi ed as Vacant and Derelict Land are identifi ed in Monitor 2010, with 117 in East Ayrshire, 253 in North Ayrshire and 39 in South Ayrshire). • The lack of resources to monitor adequately the impact of development on the heritage resource remains an area of concern. • The number of homes built in the Irvine Bay ‘priority regeneration area’ has decreased in terms of absolute numbers but has remained steady in proportionate terms. The number of homes built within the Coalfi elds community area Figure 5 Settlements with Population greater than 2000 has increased in absolute and proportionate terms. • A signifi cant proportion of retail expenditure is retained within town centres. The number of retail ‘shops’ has fallen in town centres. 2.2.1 Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan states that ‘Ayrshire has a population of 368,000 people, a coastline of 240km and covers some 3,500 sq km. It is an area of great social, economic and environmental diversity. Although best known nationally Well Being and internationally for tourism, particularly through its association with Robert Burns and golf, Ayrshire continues to play a signifi cant part in the broader aspects • Average gross disposable income in parts of Ayrshire remains amongst the lowest in Scotland. of Scotland’s economy and there are strong cultural and economic linkages to • Life expectancy continues to rise. the Glasgow City Region’. The Plan recognises that ‘nevertheless the area • Unemployment has risen and is above the Scotland and UK averages. faces considerable future challenges’. • Ayrshire has signifi cant levels of the population within the 16 – 19 years age group not in education, training or employment – these are amongst the highest in Scotland. 2.2.2 Ayrshire JPU’s publication Monitor 2010 Framework Indicator for a Sustainable • The skills within the workforce continue to improve, particularly those with degree qualifi cations. This will have a Ayrshire provides a valuable summary of the current situation with regard to the positive effect on Ayrshire’s economy and on people’s ability to take up improved job opportunities through the West socio-demographic situation with regard to Ayrshire. All of the key points are of of Scotland. relevance to CSGN’s vision for Central Scotland of a place transformed by the creation of a high quality green network, which will enrich people’s lives and, promote economic prosperity...... and include:

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2.3 Existing Initiatives The three Ayrshire Councils, through the Joint Structure Plan, incorporate the principle of green networks through the identifi cation of co-ordinated The following section details existing initiatives that may contribute to action within the Core Area and along Investment Corridors (refer to Figure Ayrshire’s Green Network and includes strategic and specifi c initiatives 3 – Study Area). Key actions for Ayrshire identifi ed in the consultation and projects: response include:

2.3.1 Ayrshire JPU’s publication Monitor 2010 Framework Indicator for a • Expanding the role of East Ayrshire Woodlands to cover all of Sustainable Ayrshire again provides a valuable summary of the current Ayrshire. situation with regard to sustainability and the environment, and can be • Ensuring that the CSGN is properly provided for in new Local summarised as follows: Development Plans including the proposal to develop the Irvine Forest. Sustainable Use of Resources and Climate Change • To seek ‘quick wins’ such as Glengarnock, in the Investment Corridors and in the Core Area. • Take forward the proposed (but unsuccessful) INTERREG IVA project • Climate Change is having an impact on Ayrshire. The national target is ‘One Environment One Future’ in the Stinchar and Doon valleys and to reduce emissions by 42% by 2020 and set annual emission targets build connectivity between the Green Network and the proposed for 2010 – 22. Biosphere. • Average domestic gas and electricity consumption has fallen since • Support intra-connectivity between the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park 2005. and the wider area e.g. links to and from the Glengarnock/Lochshore • Ayrshire continues to play a signifi cant role in meeting national Area. renewable targets. • Explore means to animate SRDP uptake aimed at securing CSGN • Coal production from opencast mining has declined. development and management. • There have been signifi cant increases in recycling rates. • Formally adopt proposals for the development of the CSGN within Irvine Bay Regeneration Company area. Protecting Natural Resources and Enhancing the • Seek to relate CSGN to the priorities identifi ed in the LBAP for coastal Environment habitats and lowland raised bogs.

• A framework has been set for the protection of habitats and species in 2.3.3 The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) Rural Development Ayrshire. A revised Action Plan is being implemented. Contracts – Rural Priorities (RDC-RP) is an integrated funding mechanism • Signifi cant improvements but water quality remains a concern. which will deliver targeted environmental, social and economic benefi ts. • Air quality is good and continues to improve. Rural Priorities are delivered jointly by SGRPID, SNH and FCS. Regional • Farm woodland and farm infrastructure have seen signifi cant increases priorities have been established to aid the delivery of fi ve key outcomes of since 1991. Grazing land has noticeably decreased. Grant aided the SRDP: woodland planting has fallen sharply. • Over half of Ayrshire’s land area is under some form of enhanced • Business viability and competitiveness landscape protection. The impact of renewable proposals on many • Water quality valued landscapes remains a concern. • Adaptations to mitigate climate change • A framework for Scotland’s soils has been published. • Biodiversity and landscapes • Thriving rural communities. 2.3.2 The Consultation on Central Scotland Green Network Draft Vision and Work Plan 2010 – 2015 was fully supported by the Ayrshire Councils who recognised the importance and need to integrate the CSGN within development plans. Of major concern is the SRDP application process which is perceived as complex, onerous and resource intensive, with few landowners/managers having the necessary resources to undertake the application process.

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A key feature of the SRDP, RDC-RP is a commitment to deliver national objectives through 2.3.4 East Ayrshire Woodlands local solutions. The RPAC established for each region is responsible for devising and updating the Regional Priorities in their area. Priorities for Ayrshire, which link closely to the objectives East Ayrshire Woodlands (EAW) is active throughout mainland Ayrshire but the major focus for of the CSGN, include: their work has been East Ayrshire. Established in 1997 in response to the opportunities afforded by the Millennium Forest for Scotland initiative, EAW is a co-operative arrangement of public and • Biodiversity , Regional Priority Codes AYR08 – 12, refer to http://www.scotland.gov. voluntary sector agencies and organisations with an interest in economic, environmental and uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP/RuralPriorities/Ayrshire, AYR 12 increase in the area of social regeneration, with activities strongly linked to securing and expanding native and amenity connected natural habitats and ecological features is of particular relevance to the CSGN broadleaf woodland cover. Presently the project employs 8 full time and staff and 1 temporary and IHN, including proposals that create and enhance habitat networks to ensure ecological post. connectivity. Habitat networks include coastal habitats, water courses, woodlands and hedgerows. EAW operates as an arm’s length project linked to East Ayrshire Council and is not a Trust or Company Limited by Guarantee but rather more akin to a voluntary association. • Landscape Priorities, Regional Priority Codes AYR 13a to 13f and 14. 13d require actions at a landscape scale which strengthen and/or enhance the landscape character of an area East Ayrshire Woodlands seeks to: and contribute to a sense of place, and includes ‘proposals that achieve the goals of CSGN by helping to deliver an integrated habitat network at a landscape scale, with wildlife corridors • Provide a range of professional services in relation to woodland design and survey, land joining up key sites and habitats’. restoration to woodland and conservation objectives, preparation of management plans, organisation and supervision of contract works. Activity is targeted on both public and private • Built and Cultural Heritage Priorities Regional Priority Codes AYR 15a to 15e which land and access for recreation within woodland is often a key element and is usually the main include enhancement and conservation of the most signiﬁ cant rural vernacular buildings, driver for community engagement. maintaining local distinctiveness, contributing to the preservation of skills and employment • Engage and support local communities in the management of woodlands by undertaking opportunities, increasing public appreciation and improving viability of existing rural building participatory appraisal, assisting establishment of community woodland groups, facilitating stock. local networking and organising practical volunteering opportunities.

• Water and Soils AYR16 – 20, including reducing diffuse pollution from rural land uses; EAW are active members of the Ayrshire Forest Education Cluster and seek to promote and improved water quality of surface water and ground water bodies; by 2015 achieving good deliver education opportunities linked to woodlands, interpretation, guided walks and training. ecological status of water bodies which are classifi ed as being at a lesser status; sustainable EAW’s greatest resource demanding activity is the operation of an intermediate labour market fl ood management and reduced fl ood risk and improved protection in areas identifi ed as programme for adults who have been unemployed and are interested in pursuing a career in most at risk from erosion, fl ooding, acidifi cation and nitrate pollution. forestry or grounds maintenance.

• Adaptations to Mitigate Climate Change Regional Priority Codes AYR21 to 24, including Key outputs over the past 13 years include: improved carbon sequestration through conservation of soil organic matter, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases from land based operations, improved carbon sinks and an • Involvement in over 750 ha of woodland in Ayrshire spread over 75 sites. effi cient and reliable wood fuel supply chain. • Sites ranging from 0.5 ha up to 25 ha and infl uenced by EAW’s involvement in the 170 ha plantation near Pinwherry. • Public Access Regional Priority Codes AYR 25 through improved public access provision • Development or upgrading of some 35km of access routes. through the creation, improvement and promotion of paths and other facilities of benefi t to • Over 100 unemployed individuals have progressed into sustainable employment (35% of the community. programme participants or 43% of programme completers). • Participants achieved approximately 1,000 accredited qualifi cations between them. • Diversifi cation of Rural Enterprise Priorities Regional Priority Codes AYR 26a to c, 27 to 30. EAW’s current programme will:

• Thriving Rural Communities Regional Priority Codes AYR31 and 32 including sustainability, • Add a further 25 ha to the woodland area. viability and well being of Scotland’s rural communities. • Provide SRDP applications for 60ha. • Plant 2 km of hedgerow. • Develop proposals for 6.5 km of hedgerow on a former opencast site returning to agricultural use. • Provide an ILM programme based on 18 places at any one time or 36 places over 12 months.

EAW’s project is supported by Future Jobs Fund and LEADER and supports 12 training and employment places, this will end in August and is unlikely to be replaced.

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2.3.5 Irvine Bay Regeneration Company The scope of the work includes:

Refer to Figure 6 – Irvine Bay Potential Green Network Sites • Consideration of temporary and permanent solutions. • Development of speciﬁ c action plans for 5 distinct sites in the Irvine Bay area. • Development of a green network strategy. • Review of potential for each site which is different in its make up, ownership and potential development, e.g. one site is SSSI with potential enhancement through access and Nethermains interpretation. • Stakeholder engagement is an important aspect. West Byrehill • Consideration of all possibilities for planting on sites, wildﬂ owers, trees, shrubs, interpretation, management regimes etc.

The strategy and action plans for the Irvine Bay Green Network project are due to be completed by mid March 2011. The regeneration company will then review each of the proposed projects and seek funding. Priority will be given to projects that can be delivered quickly and have a broad base Bogside Flats of support. The regeneration company intends to seek grant funding for on the ground planting and delivery starting 2011-12. The green network as a whole will be longer in coming to fruition and will be a composite of several site speciﬁ c projects. In addition, there are other green / open space projects that the council and others are involved in that are not part of this CSGN funded piece that will make an important contribution to the Green Network. Riverside The ﬁ ve sites in the Irvine Bay area that are being considered are: Beach Park West Byerhill – housing development site on the edge of Kilwinning,

Nethermains – an industrial site with quite a number of occupied units but also considerable areas of Figure 6 Irvine Bay Potential Green Network Sites vacant and derelict land. It is zoned for industrial space, the creation of some parkland and planting is being considered.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company’s vision for Irvine Bay is to create places where Riverside – large business park area in Irvine with some occupied business space on one side, and people will thrive, businesses will fl ourish and communities will grow. The vision is very expansive area of empty open space, a large inward investment opportunity is being sought. developed through fi ve key themes. These look at: Beach Park, Irvine – a public park area owned by the council, with boating pond and some recreation • i work - creating and spreading wealth facilities. • i live - a good place to live • i sea - rediscovering the sea Bogside – an SSSI on the fl ood plains at the estuary of the River Irvine and Garnock, a very important • i play - a good place to spend time area for bird life. • i bay - changing the image of the Irvine Bay area

Each of these themes connects with a series of proposed projects and with the masterplans for the urban regeneration of each of the towns. The regeneration company believes that ‘through re-discovering the coast and our connections to Glasgow, we will see community regeneration. create a vibrant Irvine Bay with a strong economy, a high quality of life and an improved environment’.

Work is currently underway on the Irvine Bay Green Network project, the partners are Forestry Commission, Greenspace Scotland, RSPB and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, and the purpose of the study is to identify opportunities to reduce dereliction on a number of underused sites.

Beach Park, Irvine Bay

CONTEXT OF AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 11 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 Context of Ayrshire Green Network

2.3.6 Ayrshire Pilgrims Trail

Refer to Figure 7 – Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail

The consultation associated with the feasibility study has generated a high level of ‘buy-in’ from communities with stronger interest in the south of the county, two-thirds of the trail is through South Ayrshire. The main elements of Pilgrims’ Trail are:

• To seek to utilise existing cycle routes and pathways as far as possible but it will be for people using all forms of transport, although the use of cars will not be encouraged. • The Trail will form a swathe, at most 20-miles wide, from Lochwinnoch via Dundonald, Alloway, Maybole and Girvan to the Galloway Border. • It will not be exclusively for Christians. • People will be encouraged to make overnight stays at different parts of the route to allow visits to places of interest. • Landscape, ﬂ ora and fauna will form a very signiﬁ cant part of the Trail experience.

Funding is currently being sought to develop the next stage of the Trail. It is also intended to extend the Trail to Paisley and Glasgow to the north and Whithorn in the south. The Trail will be part of The St Ninian Ways pilgrimage routes to Whithorn with the intention of having this recognised as a European Cultural Route by the European Council’s Institute of Cultural Routes in Luxembourg.

A signiﬁ cant opportunity in parallel with the Pilgrims’ Trail is to create a new visitor centre at Crossraguel Abbey by Maybole, as well as further development of the land between the Abbey and the tower-house of Baltersan.

2.3.7 The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Project

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Project is aimed a raising awareness and understanding of the Biosphere amongst communities and other stakeholders while the Biosphere is being progressed through the UNESCO application process. Biospheres are places with world- class environments that are designated by the United Nations to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. They are places which value and promote conservation and sustainable development on a regional scale. Biospheres are created to protect the biological and cultural diversity of a region while promoting sustainable economic development. They are places of cooperation, education and research where local communities, environmental groups, and economic interests can work collaboratively on conservation and development issues. Figure 7 Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail Ayrshire LEADER have approved a Cooperation Project between Ayrshire LEADER and Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Programmes aimed at developing opportunities in the Biosphere. The Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail Feasibility Study for Maybole Historical project scheduled to start in February 2011 and running through to 2013, has a total value of Society, South Ayrshire Council and North Ayrshire Council, £290,000. Cormack Brown 2010.

The feasibility study identiﬁ es a broad trail through Ayrshire following the likely routes taken by pilgrims to the shrine of St Ninian in Whithorn, highlighting the economic potential for rural communities along the route. The route has strong potential to link to the objectives of the Ayrshire Green Network including acting as a catalyst for active travel and green infrastructure. CONTEXT OF AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 12 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 Context of Ayrshire Green Network

2.3.8 Summary of Current Projects Contributing to the Goals of the CSGN/AGN

Project Description Responsible Organisation Feasibility study into development of historic pilgrimage route between the South of Ayrshire Pilgrims Trail France and Paisley Abbey. The route passes through Crossraguel Abbey near Maybole Maybole Historical Society and Kilwinning

Reuse of derelict land to form adventure playground, climbing walls and paths. Project is Bellsbank Adventure Playground Go Play Naturally primarily aimed at improving child health and encouraging family activities.

A new walking route around the Carrick area. The project is at an early stage, there is Carrick Way Ayrshire Walking Festivals Group potential for the route to link up with the Southern Upland Way and to Ayr and Loch Doon.

Community and Kirk Plantations, Community purchase of commercial forests to provide safe route to local school and Muirkirk Enterprise Group Muirkirk informal recreation areas

Provision of adventure and ﬁ tness trails as part of economic regeneration of historic Craufurdland Estate Craufurdland Communities Activities estate. There are ambitions to create footpath links to Kilmarnock.

ILM project to provide training opportunities in outdoor skills. Project will result in Dumfries House, Cumnock East Ayrshire Woodlands improved public access and recreation within the estate.

East Ayrshire Coalﬁ eld Environment Provision of small grants to community organisations for path maintenance and creation RSPB Initiative within Muirkirk and New Cumnock area.

Garnock Valley Diggers Creation of outdoor community centre including paths Garnock Valley Allotments Association

Girvan Community Garden Community garden project in Girvan which reused a neglected area of land Make it Happen

Project to prepare a strategy for the regeneration/landscaping of under used industrial Irvine Bay Green Network Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and other land to form a green network within the Irvine Bay Area

Forum to advise on access rights and the development of Core paths, assist in the Outdoor Access North Ayrshire North Ayrshire Council resolution of disputes and produce booklets detailing all paths.

Organic Growers of Fairlie Creation of allotments on contaminated land 4 Seasons Growing

Preparation of regeneration and management plan for Auchinleck House and Grounds East Ayrshire Council Business Regeneration of Auchinleck House including enhanced public access and footpaths. Development

Scottish Dark Sky Park Observatory Development of observatory within Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington Craigengillan Estate

Upgrade of existing paths around bowling club to encourage walking and social Skelmorlie Bowling Club Paths Skelmorlie Bowling Club interaction

South Ayrshire Windfarms Access Feasibility study into linking windfarm access routes to form network of hill tracks for South Ayrshire Council Roads and Tracks walking and cycling, South Carrick Transportation

CONTEXT OF AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 13 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 Context of Ayrshire Green Network

2.4 Existing Green Networks

Refer to Figure 8 – Existing Typology for Ayrshire

The existing typology for Ayrshire is illustrated on Figure 8 – Existing Typology for Ayrshire.

The main purpose of typology mapping is to provide a basis for mapping functionality. Generally the GIS analysis has conﬁ rmed that most of Ayrshire is covered by two or more functions that contribute to green infrastructure. Ayrshire has a rich and diverse landscape with small areas of conurbation and urban population. In most instances the functions that contribute to the green network closely follow the topography and river corridors.

The green networks form a clear arc centred on Ayr and Irvine Bay and are more of a net or matrix rather than linear corridors. In general the Uplands forming the northern, eastern and southern ‘outer’ arc of Ayrshire have a higher multifunctionality (a function is something that green infrastructure does that beneﬁ ts people or other species) than the inner ‘core’ area, with the lowland farming belt having the least multifunctionality. The green network does not necessary follow the Investment Corridors outlined in the Structure Plan and also indicates that the Core Area contains distinctly separate conurbations i.e. Kilmarnock is a distinct entity and does not coalesce with the coastal towns of Ardrossan, Irvine, Troon and Ayr. However some of the river and road corridors do form distinct green corridors or potential corridors including:

• Garnock Valley, A737 corridor • Irvine Valley A71 corridor • A70 (M74 Link)/B743 River Ayr corridor • A713 Doon Valley

One of the characteristics of Ayrshire is the arc of lowland farmland that encircles the core towns, providing a challenging environment for improvements to biodiversity and river catchment plans but perhaps a major opportunity for Ayrshire.

The detailed typology for the Core Area and Investment Corridors is illustrated in the Action Plans, refer to Figures 37 – 44.

Figure 8 Existing Typology for Ayrshire

CONTEXT OF AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 2.0 14 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.1 Topography 3.2 Landscape and Landscape Character

Refer to Figure 9 - Topography Refer to Figure 10 – Sensitive Landscape Areas and Figure 11 – Landscape Character Areas

3.2.1 Introduction 3.1.1 Ayrshire is the largest of Scotland’s lowland counties with a low lying central basin, centred on the coast at Ayr and surrounded by a perimeter of hills to the north, east and south. The topography reﬂ ects the The landscape of Ayrshire is a valuable resource, making a signiﬁ cant contribution to the catchment and drainage areas of the major rivers, which principally drain westwards to the sea, including economic, environmental and cultural life of the area. Around 50% of Ayrshire is covered by the Rivers Garnock, Irvine, Ayr, Doon, Girvin and Stinchar. Landscape Designations, which are listed below; 3.1.2 The Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is situated in the north of Ayrshire, rising to 522 metres (above • National Scenic Area – The northern half of Arran. ordnance datum) at the Hill of Stake at its highest point. Further hills, the Crosbie Hills, are adjacent to • Sensitive Landscape Character Area – Large parts of the south of the County, along with a the coast between West Kilbride and Dalry, consequently the River Garnock drains to the south before section to the east of Ayr, adjacent to Largs and covering the north of Arran. entering the sea at Irvine Bay. To the east side of Garnock and much of Irvine and Ayr, catchments are relatively low lying with much of the catchment below 100m and little land above 300m.

3.1.3 The Rivers Stinchar, Doon and Girvan all rise in the Galloway Hills to the south west with altitudes over 500 metres in places. The Carrick Hills are a distinctive feature of South Ayrshire, rising to over 500 metres close to Girvan and the sea, and characterised in places by large scale wind farms.

Source: www.ayrshireriverstrust.org/uplands

3.1.4 The topography of Arran reﬂ ects the nature of this spectacular island with Goada Bheinn (Goatfell) rising to some 874 metres AOD situated at the northern end. The mountains provide the focus for ﬁ ne views from the mainland particularly in winter.

Figure 9 Topography Figure 10 Sensitive Landscape Areas

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 15 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

Because much of Ayrshire is valued for its scenic and environmental 3.2.2 Core Area qualities, landscape character is a key element in promoting development as well as providing an attractive setting for existing communities and The core area sits within a single regional character area, this being the new investment. Landscapes are constantly evolving due to changes in “Ayrshire Basin” character area. This is characterised as an extensive agricultural practices, renewable energy developments, improvements semi-circular lowland area which is focused on the town of Ayr. It has a to infrastructure, recreational activities and climate, which all impact on distinct land use and settlement pattern, which sees “heavily populated” landscape character and appearance. This makes it essential that positive areas “with a dense network of settlements and roads”, sit next to more landscape management is carried out throughout Ayrshire to achieve rural areas where the main land use is dairy farming, which have a improved landscape quality as well as landscape protection. surviving framework of hedges and hedgerow trees. The area is also “cut by a series of narrow river valleys which have become incised as the land has risen relative to the sea”.

The landscape classifi cations for this area are divided into fi ve areas: the “Large Towns”, “Lowland Coast”, “Ayrshire Lowlands”, “Lowland River Valleys” and “Lowland Hills”. The “Ayrshire Lowland” and “Lowland River Valley” landscape classifi cations are described elsewhere in this section.

The “Large Towns” landscape classifi cation can be defi ned by the built up areas of Saltcoats / Ardrossan, Kilwinning, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Troon and Ayr. As the classifi cation suggests, these are the major towns within the core area.

The “Lowland Coast” landscape classiﬁ cation is characterised by a series of rounded bays, divided by outcrops of igneous rock and backed by areas of sand dunes. The character area can also be deﬁ ned by a number of golf courses which have some nature conservation importance, e.g.: Western Gailes Golf Club is designated a SSSI. The growth of coastal settlements along this stretch of coast has meant that much of the coastal lowland has been lost.

The “Lowland Hills” landscape classifi cation can be defi ned by a series of low hills in the heart of the “Ayrshire Lowlands”, which “rise almost imperceptively from the surrounding pasturelands, culminating in a series of bluffy summits inland from Troon”. Land cover is dominated by “pastures enclosed with hedges (many with gorse) and post and wire fences. The bluffy summits and the steeper slopes tend to be covered in gorse”. The “Lowland Hills” would have provided ideal defensible locations in the surrounding lowlands, and indeed some of the hills have evidence of forts and Dundonald Castle in particular is an important historic site within this Figure 11 Landscape Character Areas landscape classifi cation area.

Site visits were undertaken in February and March 2011 to assess each investment corridor and the core area. Notes were made at strategic points within these areas and were compared with the ﬁ ndings of the 1998 “Ayrshire Landscape Assessment No. 111” carried out by Land Use Consultants. These were found to be comparable for the most part and it is this combination of the two studies that has been used to form the basis for the following descriptions. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 16 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.2.3 North Coast Investment Corridor 3.2.6 Irvine Valley Investment Corridor

The north coast investment corridor is part of the regional character area “The Inner Firth of The Irvine Valley investment corridor is also part of the regional character area “Ayrshire Basin” Clyde”, which is “characterised by medium distant views across semi-sheltered water to steeply as described in 3.2.4. As it moves east it becomes part of the “Ayrshire Rim” character area, rising shorelines, often backed by wooded slopes”. Within this area “many of the coastal fringes which is characterised as “an extensive area of plateau moorland” with hills that are “broad and are settled”. often shallow sloped, comprising areas of moss and blanket bog. Large areas are afforested with coniferous plantations”. The landscape classifi cation is given as “Raised Beach Coast”, which is characterised as “where areas of higher ground reach the coast and where the raised beach is visible as a level shelf The settlement pattern tends to be “focused in the series of upland river valleys which cut through backed by a steep, sometimes craggy escarpment, representing the former cliff line”. Although the hills, often providing the corridor for communication”. this is known as “Raised Beach” the landscape character type actually comprises “the former beach, cliff and areas above”. Wooded hinterland is a characteristic of this corridor. The landscape classifi cation moves from “Upper River Valleys” in the east to “Lowland River Valleys” in the west as it reaches Kilmarnock. The “Upland River Valleys” are of a pronounced 3.2.4 Garnock Valley Investment Corridor V-shape in this area, with steeper valleys sides and a narrow fl oodplain. The valley slopes are generally pasture, bounded by tree lined hedgerows with woodland associated with designed The Garnock Valley investment corridor is part of the regional character area “Ayrshire Basin”, landscapes such as Loudoun Castle and Lanfi ne House. The “Lowland River Valleys” are generally which is characterised as an extensive semi-circular lowland area focused on the town of Ayr. narrow, often just a few hundred metres wide, and bounded by steep slopes between 10 and 30m The character area has a distinct land use and settlement pattern, which sees “heavily populated” high. The valley slopes are well wooded and the rivers run in tight meanders. Field boundaries areas “with a dense network of settlements and roads”, sitting next to more rural areas where the tend to be hedges. main land use is dairy farming, which have a surviving framework of hedges and hedgerow trees. The area is also “cut by a series of narrow river valleys which have become incised as the land has risen relative to the sea”. This particular investment corridor is located in the more rural part of the “Ayrshire Basin”, with a gently rolling landform, broken by a network of hedges and fi eld boundaries.

The landscape classifi cation is given as “Broad Valley Lowland”, which is characterised as a broad, shallow, level valley fl oor that has naturally fl ooded to form Kilbirnie Loch. There is a dense network of woodlands, shelterbelts and hedges and occasional long views to the North Ayrshire Hills. There is some industry within this investment corridor, with an industrial plant at Dalry and some Whisky Bond Warehouses at Beith.

3.2.5 Glasgow Link Investment Corridor

The Glasgow link investment corridor is also part of the regional character area “Ayrshire Basin”, which is characterised as an extensive semi-circular lowland area focused on the town of Ayr. This investment corridor is located in the more rural part of the “Ayrshire Basin” with a gently rolling landform, broken by a network of hedges and ﬁ eld boundaries.

The landscape classiﬁ cation is given as “Ayrshire Lowlands”, which is characterized as extensively agricultural in nature. It is a complex landscape which is dissected by many burns and streams, giving an undulating lowland landscape that is predominantly pastoral, although there are some areas of arable farming on the lower level areas with better soils. The “Ayrshire Lowland” landscape character area has a strong network of 18th / 19th century ﬁ eld boundaries which are formed by well conditioned hedgerows with mature hedgerow trees. Glengarnock from Kilbirnie

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 17 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.2.7 A70 / A76 Investment Corridor Cut into the uplands are a series of distinctive glacial valleys with U-shaped cross sections, precipitous side slopes, hanging valleys, waterfalls, crags and scree”. The land cover in this area is “predominantly forestry which extends The A70 / A76 investment corridor, like the Irvine Valley, is also part of the over the summits or is concentrated on the side slopes, leaving the domed regional character areas “Ayrshire Basin” and “Ayrshire Rim” as described peaks exposed”. above.

The landscape classifi cation moves from “Plateau Moorlands” to “Upland 3.2.9 Carrick Investment Corridor River Valleys” and on to “Lowland River Valleys” and the “Ayrshire Lowlands” beyond. The “Plateau Moorlands” is characterised by an “extensive ridge The Carrick investment corridor is part of the regional character area “Carrick dividing the Ayrshire Basin from the Clyde Basin, forming a transition Hills and Valleys” and follows the coastline from Girvan to Ayr. This part of the between the foothills and the uplands to the south”. The “Plateau Moorlands” character area “is dominated by a raised beach landscape, punctuated by a consist of “blanket bogs, heather and grass moorland with comparatively series of coastal headlands”. level topography” with “extensive plateau basins rising to soft contoured ridges”. It is an expansive landscape so any development within it would The landscape classifi cations for this investment corridor are varied ranging be highly visible. The landscape classifi cations for “Lowland River Valleys” from “Raised Beach Coast”, as described in the North Coast Investment and the “Ayrshire Lowlands” are given elsewhere while the “Upland River Corridor section, through “Coastal Headlands”, “Coastal Valleys with Policies”, Valleys” in this part of the study area share many similar characteristics to “Lower Dale” and on to “Foothills”. others mentioned above, they also have some distinct characteristics of their own. The River Nith Valley has a distinctly U-shaped nature, rising to steeply The “Coastal Headlands” are characterised as a “distinct area of high ground sloped hills either side of the fl at bottomed fl ood plain, while the Upper at the southern end of Ayrshire Bay”, with a “bluffy, almost craggy summit”. Ayr Valley is broader and open rising to moorland plateaus. The Cumnock The lower slopes are pasture giving way to rough grazing as you move higher Investment Corridor is also characterised by the scars of industry, namely up. There is some semi natural woodland on the more sheltered slopes. bings, embankments and open cast coal mines. The “Coastal Valleys with Policies” are characterised as a “broad, shallow coastal valley and bay, enclosed by moorland hills to the north and south”. 3.2.8 Doon Valley Investment Corridor The landscape is dominated by Culzean Castle and its associated policies woodland and farmland. The land cover is a mosaic of arable farmland and The Doon Valley investment corridor is, like previous investment corridors, pasture in the lower valley, moving through pasture and broadleaved and part of the regional character areas “Ayrshire Basin” and Ayrshire Rim”, but it coniferous shelter belts and woodland in the mid and upper valley. The fi eld is also part of the “Southern Uplands” regional character area at its eastern boundaries are dominated by hedges and shelterbelts. boundary. The “Southern Uplands” are characterised by “smooth, conical peaks with extensive foothills and plateaus”. Forestry and upland sheep The “Lower Dale” landscape type is found in the lower reaches of the farming are the predominant land uses in this character area. valley of the Water of Girvan. It is characterised as a broad, fl at bottomed valley with well defi ned slopes rising to foothills to the north and south. The The landscape classifi cations for this investment corridor are once again Water of Girvan meanders across the valley fl oor. The land use tends to be “Upland River Valleys” and “Lowland River Valleys” as described above, arable cultivation of medium sized fi elds that are enclosed by beech and along with “Southern Uplands with Forestry” to the eastern most part of the hawthorn hedges and the occasional drystone dyke. The hedgerow trees site. The “Southern Uplands with Forestry” consist of “hills with steep, smooth and shelterbelts tend are dominated by mature beech. slopes, rising to rounded summits. The “Foothills” landscape classifi cation is a transition between the more settled Ayrshire Lowlands and the moorlands / uplands in the east. The area is cut by “a series of valleys, giving a dissected landform of incised valleys between rounded ridges and plateaus with occasional un-dramatic summits”. The lower slopes tend to be pastoral with fi elds enclosed by fences, hedgerows and drystone dykes, giving way to rough grazing as you rise up the slopes. The summits tend to be dominated by moorland or coniferous forestry.

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 18 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.2.10 Arran

Arran is an island with a varied landscape and geological structure, the Highland Boundary Fault cuts the island in two, which contains many archaeological sites. The northern half of the island comprises “a dramatic landscape of heavily glaciated, granitic peaks and valleys”, while the southern half comprises “lower and more subdued moorlands”. In addition to these two contrasting halves “a settled and pastoral fringe runs around the island above the raised beaches and cliff lines along the coast. The east side of the island is generally more sheltered, wooded and settled than the more exposed and remote western coast”.

3.2.11 Designed Landscapes

Refer to Figure 12 – Designed Landscape Locations

A Designed Landscape Survey (the Survey) for Ayrshire was carried out in 2009 by Peter McGowan Associates with Christopher Dingwall. The report states that ‘the term designed landscapes covers the policies (parkland) of a landed estate, together with any gardens and the wide planned and planted ground that forms its setting. The terms can also include public parks and cemeteries, and potentially other types of planned site of high environmental quality such as hospital grounds and university campuses’.

The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscape in Scotland (the Inventory) is the only offi cial national list of gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. It was fi rst published in 1987 and then listed and described 275 sites across Scotland that were deemed to be of national importance, including 20 sites across Ayrshire. The Designed Landscape Survey for Ayrshire states that ‘it is widely recognised that many more gardens and designed landscapes exist than Figure 12 Designed Landscape Locations are included in the Inventory. The survey produced a list of 152 sites of national, regional or local interest, including the 20 previously identifi ed Inventory sites. The survey identifi es 22 sites of national signifi cance, 25 of regional signifi cance and 106 of local signifi cance.

3.3 Forestry, Woodland and Hedgerows

Refer to Figure 13 – Existing Woodland Locations and Figure 14 – Green Space Audit

The Ayrshire and Arran Woodland Strategy produced in 2003 outlined the general layout and type of Woodland in Ayrshire. Ayrshire and Arran, like many other parts of Scotland, experienced extensive tree planting for softwood timber production throughout the latter part of the 20th century. Of the circa 295,000 ha of Ayrshire, woods and forests contribute to approximately 21% of the total land cover – circa 61,950 ha.

Ancient and semi-natural woodlands are recognised as being of importance for their nature conservation value and the contribution that they make to the character of the landscape. Farm woodlands, including shelterbelts and hedgerow trees, contribute to the landscape and provide important habitats for wildlife. On a larger scale there are a number of ﬁ ne examples of estate woodlands in Ayrshire. These are often composed of a mixture of designed landscapes and plantations. Ayrshire, as a well wooded area with extensive softwood plantations, has an important resident timber processing industry - ranging from large mills to small family run sawmills. These businesses not only add important value to the raw material grown in Ayrshire but also provide more than 2,000 jobs. Figure 13 Existing Woodland Locations

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 19 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.3.2 Estate Woodlands and Designed Landscapes

The woodlands of estates and their designed landscapes, often surrounding mansion houses and castles, are signifi cant features of the landscape and make a positive contribution to most of the lowland landscape. The composition of these woodlands is usually a mixture of deciduous and conifer species, often incorporating exotic specimen trees and shrubs. Typical mixes include; Oak, Elm, Beech, Lime, Horse chestnut, Sycamore, Ash, Yew and Scots Pine and can be seen at Culzean Castle, Kelburn Castle, Knock Castle and Brodick Castle on the coast; Loudoun Castle, Glenapp Castle, Sorn Castle and Auchinleck inland. In addition, there are many remnants of designed landscapes and woodlands throughout Ayrshire which have a signifi cant combined contribution to the settled and prosperous agricultural character of the region, such as at Blair, Dumfries House, Dundonald Castle, Sundrum Castle, Craufurdlan Castle, Cloncaird Castle, Caprington Castle, Rowallan and Lanfi ne House .

3.3.3 Farm Woodlands, Tree Lines and Hedgerows

The most widespread tree/woodland features of the Ayrshire landscape can be regarded as an integral part of the farm landscapes, most of which were shaped in the 18th and early 19th centuries. An essential feature of Ayrshire’s farmland is the extensive pattern of hedgerow ﬁ eld enclosures. These deﬁ ne a roughly rectilinear pattern of enclosure with clipped hawthorn hedges (occasionally beech is used, but not extensively). Field sizes vary from circa 0.5 ha to 1.5 ha in the lowland areas, becoming larger in the uplands, and often switching to stone dyke enclosures. Hedgerows are frequently reinforced by tree lines, usually beech, oak, ash or sycamore, but elm has declined due to Dutch elm disease.

The patterns of hedgerows, tree lines and farm woodlands make positive contributions to the farm Figure 14 Green Space Audit landscapes of Ayrshire and help to emphasise subtleties in the rolling landscape. They also add interest through shade and silhouettes and mark the seasonal changes positively. In addition, hedgerows provide valuable habitats and corridors for wildlife and help to screen or mitigate the effects of developments in the landscape. 3.3.1 Semi-Natural and Native Woodlands The dominance of hedges and hedgerow trees has led some commentators to describe Ayrshire A signifi cant element of the woodland resource is the long-established semi natural broadleaved as the most English of Scottish counties, recalling the classic fi eld patterns of the English woods that account for just over 3% of the total countryside area. These woodlands are located Midlands and its varied hedgerow styles. The survival of this lowland landscape is particularly principally in lower lying areas close to valley fl oors and following the river networks. Native signifi cant given the deterioration experienced in many comparable parts of Scotland. Within species of trees are predominant in these woodlands, some of which are known to have been in Ayrshire, however, the signs of decline can be detected in the form of gappy or outgrown hedges, existence for many hundreds of years. Certain areas, including the gorge woodlands of the River or the trend not to replace felled or fallen hedgerow trees (particularly noticeable along road Ayr, are considered to be of particular importance and as such have been designated as Sites of corridors). Agri-environmental schemes have been proposed to counteract the onset of decline Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSIs). In the north of Arran woodlands in Glen Diomhan have been and to conserve a landscape which, though locally common, has a degree of intactness rarely included within an SSSI on account of the presence of rare species of whitebeam endemic to the found elsewhere in Scotland or elsewhere in the British Isles. island.

The great majority of Ayrshire’s native woodlands, which is only a small percentage of Ayrshire’s total woodland cover, were cleared by previous generations to increase areas of cultivation or to provide softwood timber resources. A few protected areas have retained harbour signiﬁ cant wildlife interest. The best examples include River Ayr Gorge, Craig Wood of Glen Tig, Ness Glen near Loch Doon, Skelmorlie Glen, Benlister Glen and Dundonald Wood. These woodlands contain indigenous species including oak, ash, elm, alder and birch, often with introduced beech and sycamore.

The more extensive broadleaved tree and woodland features are, therefore, of plantation origin or are part of farm landscapes.

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 20 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.3.4 Softwood Forests 3.4 Natural Heritage Assets

The most extensive woodlands in Ayrshire, and the ones which contribute Refer to Figure 15 - Biodiversity and Figure 16 - Corridors for Wildlife most in terms of jobs and economy, are the softwoods forests found in the more upland areas of Ayrshire and Arran. These have been planted over the Ayrshire and Arran encompass coastal, lowland, mid-altitude and upland last century by the Forestry Commission and private foresters. Large areas landscapes which, despite the predominance of cultivated land, support a of marginal farmland were afforested, including moorland foothills and the variety of fl ora and fauna. In addition, the complex geology of this region lower parts of the Southern Uplands. Given the land area, extensive forests provides a broad range of geological and geomorphological interest. These are, therefore, a common feature of the Ayrshire landscape. Public criticism are refl ected in the designation of over 70 Sites of Special Scientifi c Interest of softwood forestry has now largely disappeared due to careful restructuring (SSSI), half of which are related to geological interest. These SSSIs include of upland plantations and a better understanding of their economic worth one National Nature Reserve (NNR) at Glen Diomhan (North Arran), one and opening them for various forms of amenity, including active sports. This Special Protection Area (SPA) - Ailsa Craig, and two proposed Special Areas type of forestry continues to be targeted as an important part of the forestry of Conservation (SAC) - Merrick Kells and Cockinhead Moss. In addition, mix and is one of the woodland types included in the Right Tree Right Place the local authorities have identifi ed many sites of local wildlife importance planning document. Even so, some commentators believe that softwood (i.e. Listed Wildlife Sites). These designated and listed sites represent only a intensifi cation has peaked due to alternative and fi nancially attractive land small percentage of Ayrshire which contains the most valuable and sensitive uses in the uplands. Most notable of these is wind energy developments recorded resources. There are many other areas of local value for wildlife which have already had a major impact on softwood forests, and secondly and several large areas whose general value for natural heritage is broadly carbon trading which makes reconversion of softwood forest land to mire and recognised. bog attractive due to their high carbon sink value.

3.3.5 Inventory

The Forestry Commission (Scotland) and SNH maintain an Ancient Woodland Inventory which records the location and size of ancient or semi natural woodland throughout Scotland. There are several categories of woodland identiﬁ ed, these being:

(i) Ancient Woodland (ii) Long-established woodland of semi-natural origin (iii) Long-established woodland of plantation origin (iv) Other woods on “Roy” woodland sites (v) Other woodland

The inventory shows that nearly 70% of woodland is outside the Ayrshire Investment Corridors as illustrated. Woodland is clustered around the fringes of Ayrshire and also in Central and Southern Arran.

Figure 15 Biodiversity

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3.4.3 South Ayrshire

There are 32 SSSIs in South Ayrshire covering a total area of 4076.3ha. In South Ayrshire, Ailsa Craig has been designated a Special Protection Area (SPA), under the EC Birds Directive (1979), whilst parts of Glen App and the Galloway Moors have been put forward as a potential SPA. Under the EC Habitats Directive (1992), the Lendalfoot Hills Complex and Merrick Kells (partly in Dumfries and Galloway) have been put forward by SNH as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

3.4.4 The Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan was completed in 2001 and a revised plan was completed in 2007. 32 Ayrshire habitats were identiﬁ ed within the original LBAP and of these 20 are UK BAP Priority Habitats. Detailed information is not yet available for all of them and only parts of the habitat data sets have been digitised.

1. Maerl beds 2. Saline lagoons 3. Seagrass beds 4. Benthic zone 5. Rocky shore 6. Pelagic zone 7. Coastal salt marsh 8. Sheltered muddy gravels 9. Coastal sand dunes 10. Coastal vegetated shingle 11. Maritime cliff and slopes 12. Raised beach platform 13. Rivers and streams 14. Mesotrophic lakes 15. Fens 16. Purple moor grass and rush pastures 17. Reedbeds 18. Ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows Figure 16 Corridors for Wildlife 19. Cereal fi eld margins 20. Upland calcareous grassland 21. Lowland dry acid grassland 3.4.1 North Ayrshire 22. Lowland meadows 23. Coastal and fl oodplain grazing marsh In North Ayrshire the major environmental designations to be protected include the Clyde Muirshiel 24. Planted conifers Regional Park, 17 SSSIs, Eglinton Park and Natura 2000 Sites at Cockinhead Moss, Bankhead 25. Lowland wood-pasture and parkland Moss, Dykeneuk Moss and Renfrewshire Heights (SPA) 26. Upland mixed ashwoods 27. Upland oakwood 3.4.2 East Ayrshire 28. Wet woodland 29. Blanket bog East Ayrshire contains one Special Protection Area (SPA), the Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands 30. Lowland raised bog SPA, which extends to some 16, 603 hectares. The SPA is of exceptional interest due to its variety 31. Upland heathland of blanket bog, wet and dry heaths and upland grasslands, and was designated specifi cally 32 Urban because of its international importance for the breeding of hen harrier, short eared owls, merlin, peregrine and golden plovers. There is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC’s) designated within East Ayrshire at Airds Moss. There are a total of 21 Sites of Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSI’s) in East Ayrshire which extend to a total of 19,343 hectares. There are two confi rmed and one proposed Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s), 128 designated and provisional wildlife sites, and one Country Park within East Ayrshire located at Dean Castle.

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Habitat and Species Action Plans have been devised for the following: Ayrshire has only very small amounts of arable land (about 12%), mostly along the coast, which has restricted the potential distribution of the corn bunting. The extensive pasture land from Lowland Raised Peat Bogs: The Lowland Raised Peat Bogs inventory contains 39 sites in improved to hill rough grazing provides habitats of various qualities, especially as many of the Ayrshire, of which 22 are in East Ayrshire and 17 in North Ayrshire. One other site has been lowland fi elds are surrounded by hedges, although many of them are severely ‘pruned’. identifi ed in South Ayrshire. Raised bog SSSI, of national importance, has been declared for Barlosh Moss and Dalmellington Moss in East Ayrshire and Cockinhead Moss, Bankhead Moss This habitat plan aims to encourage measures that benefi t farmland birds across Ayrshire through and Dykeneuk Moss in North Ayrshire. Cockinhead, Bankhead and Dykeneuk mosses have been demonstration, sharing good practice and encouraging changes in management initially in small, recognised as being of European importance and been declared SACs. Dalmellington Moss is a targeted areas. An important objective is to show that such measures are compatible with or even wildlife reserve of the SWT. benefi cial to commercial farming. Monitoring of the success of projects will allow measures to be evaluated. This Habitat Action Plan has the long-term vision to bring as many of the lowland raised bogs into favourable conservation condition as possible and maintain the irrecoverable sites as sites for 3.4.5 The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere wildlife. Biospheres are places with world-class environments that are designated by the United Nations Coastal Habitats: There are already 60 sites along the coast which have a conservation (UNESCO) to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. designation (i.e. SSSI, Wildlife Sites or Local Nature Reserves) and where, for some of them, the They are places which value and promote conservation and sustainable development on a coastal wildlife is being positively managed. regional scale. Biospheres are created to protect the biological and cultural diversity of a region while promoting sustainable economic development. They are places of cooperation, education The overall vision for this complex of habitats is to: and research where local communities, environmental groups, and economic interests can work collaboratively on conservation and development issues. a) Retain as much of the most specialist coastal habitats (e.g. sand dunes, salt marsh, rich coastal grasslands) as is possible, in units as large as possible. Galloway and South Ayrshire is being proposed as a new style UNESCO Biosphere because of its unique combination of special landscapes and wildlife areas, rich cultural heritage and b) Achieve positive management for as much of the coastal habitats as possible for their communities that care about their environment and culture and want to develop it sustainably. specialised coastal biodiversity especially where the land has another use. Biosphere designation will help understand, defi ne, sustain and enhance those special qualities. As an internationally recognised marketing brand for superb natural environments, Biosphere c) Stimulate an enjoyment and appreciation of Ayrshire’s coastal wildlife and an interest in its designation will offer new opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities to demonstrate welfare amongst the people of Ayrshire how to live work and play in a world class environment.

Water Vole: there are nine sites with water voles and these were found south and east of Girvan Galloway and Southern Ayrshire could be the ﬁ rst ‘new style’ Biosphere in Scotland and would be and north-east of New Cumnock, all in the upper reaches of the catchment of the River Stinchar. only the third in the UK. Biospheres have three main functions; conservation, learning /research, and sustainable development. Biospheres are managed by a framework which divides the area The management objectives are: into three complementary management zones – Core Area, Buffer Zone and Transition Area. The Transition Area is a more ﬂ exible area in which sustainable economic and community development a) Protection and enhancement of sites where water voles are present. would be actively promoted. Biosphere designation would bring no new regulation of activities b) Enhancement of the habitat in the area around those sites to promote growth of existing within the area. colonies.

Farmland Birds: A number of the species identifi ed with the highest biodiversity status in Ayrshire are farmland birds. Many of these have been regarded as common but recent studies have shown huge declines in their populations mainly due to changes in farming practices, including pesticide use, hedge removal, more effi cient weed removal including from hedge bottoms and changes in the time of year when crops are sown and harvested. The species which are widespread are Tree Sparrow, Skylark, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Bullfi nch, Grey Partridge, Song Thrush, Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Redshank and Yellowhammer.

The decline in population has been affected by removal of hedges, or their very severe cutting resulting in loss of nesting sites for some species, and felling of hedgerow trees. Loss of ‘weedy’ habitats, either within crops or along ﬁ eld margins, has meant a loss of weed seeds for the birds’ winter survival and changes in the timing of ploughing and cultivation has meant a loss of winter stubble as a seed source. Lapwing nests may be vulnerable to being destroyed through ﬁ eld operations or livestock trampling from March to June.

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3.5 Built Heritage Assets and Archaeology Many prehistoric sites are difﬁ cult to detect in the landscape, but do appear under certain climatic conditions. Frost cover, snow, low sunlight and crop Refer to Figure 17 - Heritage marks can expose the locations of ancient dwellings and lines of enclosure. These more ephemeral earth and timber structures from the prehistoric Ayrshire, Arran and the smaller offshore islands have an outstanding and period often appear under these conditions and are subtle but intriguing diverse heritage. As major assets they can only be selectively reviewed in a components of the landscape heritage. wider study which is focused on green networks. The selective review features those assets thought to be, by location and function, most valuable when Iron Age features are more evident throughout the region as a result of their considered as part of a green network. It is not intended as a comprehensive large numbers, their younger age, their long occupation and their robust list. construction/size of construction. Approximately 200 forts and duns have been discovered in Ayrshire. These are circular stone structures usually sited on the top of hills, ridges or prominent knolls from which they could guard surrounding farmland. Duns are similar to forts but are smaller defensive structures capable of accommodating only one family or small group of people. Of locally signiﬁ cant and certainly symbolic importance are the Celtic crosses which marked early Christian gathering places throughout Ayrshire. These are perhaps not major features of the landscape, and a number have been taken into museums, however, where they remain, their contribution to the local landscape character is felt.

East Ayrshire has a wealth of archaeological sites and locations, containing 1055 sites of archaeological signiﬁ cance and two archaeological locations at Dunaskin and Muirkirk.

3.5.2 Cumbrae and Arran

The highlights of the built heritage include the Cathedral of the Isles on Cumbrae, built in 1851, which is the smallest cathedral in Europe and has Victorian Gothic style architecture and is set within a woodland landscape. Brodick Castle, home of the Dukes of Hamilton, is situated in a woodland park, with extensive gardens, waymarked trails and a Victorian walled garden. Lochranza Castle originally a 13th/14th century two storey hall-house, was heightened and converted in the 16th century into a tower-house. Arran has an outstanding archaeology, with many stone artefacts. There are numerous ancient monuments which include chambered tombs, stone circles, standing stones, hut circles, cists and forts dating back as far as the Mesolithic period, some 10,000 years ago. The standing stones and stone circles of Machrie Figure 17 Heritage Moor are striking in the landscape and there is a small concentration of sites around Blackwaterfoot. 3.5.1 Prehistoric

Evidence of prehistoric human activity in Ayrshire is most visible in Arran, where the greatest concentrations of monuments remain intact as signiﬁ cant features in the landscape. Such monuments are not absent from mainland Ayrshire, but they are not present in the same concentrations, nor do they contain monuments of the same complexity and condition. There are, however, many prehistoric features still visible in the landscape, particularly in the less cultivated hills of North Ayrshire and in the coastal hills south of Ayr. These include many cairns, a few chambered cairns (and long barrows), standing stones and inscribed stones (the Ballochmyle cup and ring marked rocks are perhaps the most signiﬁ cant Neolithic/Bronze Age feature in mainland Isle of Arran Ayrshire).

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Geology on Arran 3.5.3 Mainland Ayrshire

Arran has an international reputation for its geology and geomorphology which Baltersan Castle is a 16th Century tower house approximately six miles from Turnberry, which is near the mediaeval are of enormous interest to many of the visiting parties that come to the island, abbey of Crossraguel, a Cluniac site on the Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail to Whithorn, near Maybole, originally founded in particularly from Universities. These visits make a major contribution to the 1244. local economy. The underlying geology is illustrated in Figure 18 – Geology of Arran. The rocks are broadly divided by the Highland boundary fault and Culzean Castle and Country Park, near Maybole, is another property with links to the Kennedys and to General include igneous rocks, particularly in the north, with Devonian and carboniferous Eisenhower, who was given a tenanted ﬂ at in the castle in 1945. It was originally a tower house in the 1400’s and rocks characterising the south, where there are many sills and dykes which was developed in phases to eventually become a neoclassical cliff top mansion by the 18th century. It has a country result in dramatic coastal scenery. There are also many interesting geological park, beaches, a deer park, woodlands, terraces, gardens and vinery. features, such as ‘Hutton’s Unconformity’ at Lochranza; raised beaches, which are prominent at Brodick and Corrie; King’s Cave, reputed to be a hiding place Dunure Castle was built in the 1300’s, near the coast at Dunure for the Kennedys. In this part of the County is Croy of Robert the Bruce when he began his campaign to claim the Scottish throne; Brae, more widely known as The Electric Brae. Greenan Castle is another Kennedy building near the coast, dating and many glacial features, including ‘U-shaped valleys, moraine ridges and back to 1603. Dulquharran Castle, near the village of Dailly was built in the 1780’s next to the River Girvan and is now glacial erratics’. a golf and leisure venue. Blairquhan Castle/Mansion near Strainton, south east of Ayr is a striking building situated near some excellent hill walking country. Further aﬁ eld, inland to the south-east, is Loch Doon Castle. Built in the 1200’s on an island in the Loch for Robert, Earl of Carrick and was reconstructed in the 1930’s to allow the loch to be used as a reservoir.

Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock is the ancestral home of the Boyd’s. Its 14t space hand 15th century castle houses are set in a 200 acre country park with woodlands and other attractions. Dundonald Castle, near Kilmarnock, is a prominent structure built in the 1370s by Robert II to mark his succession to the throne. Remains of an earlier but equally grand 13th century castle are clearly visible. Castle Hill was occupied by a large fort in the Dark Ages and a prehistoric fort before that. Rowallan Castle near Kilmaurs is a renaissance building located on the banks of the Carmel Water on a site dating back to the 13th century, although it took its present day form in the 16th century. Loudoun Castle and County Park is situated next to Galston and was used as an amusement park, until its recent closure.

Sorn Castle overlooks the River Ayr 4 miles east of Mauchline. It dates from the early 1400’s and was built for the Hamilton’s. Between Kilwinning and Dalry is the Museum of Ayrshire Country Life and Costume where visitors can access the Garnock Valley. TERTIARY Kelburn Castle, near Fairlie, dates from the 13th century and is the seat of the Earl of Glasgow. It has extensive TRIASSIC gardens, trees and waterfalls and Kelburn Glen has some of Scotland’s ﬁ nest woodlands. Law Castle, near West Kilbride was constructed as a wedding gift for Princess Mary in the ﬁ fteenth century and is now used as holiday PERMIAN accommodation. Portencross Castle, near West Kilbride is a tower house built on lands originally owned by the Ross clan by Robert Boyd in the early 1400’s. CARBONIFEROUS Eglinton Country Park is one mile north east of Irvine and passed from the Eglington’s to the Montgomery’s, who DEVONIAN abandoned it in 1929 after losing all their money building Ardrossan Harbour. It fell into disrepair and was used as target practice for tanks in World War Two. ORDOVICIAN

CAMBRIAN

Figure 18 Geology of Arran

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3.5.4 List of Main Sites with Potential Links to Ayrshire Green • Mauchline Castle Network • Newmilns Tower • Rowallan Castle • Sorn Castle Great Cumbrae, North Ayrshire • Terringzean Castle

• Cathedral of the Isles South Ayrshire • Museum of the Cumbraes, the Garrison Centre, Millport • Greenan Castle Arran, North Ayrshire (Built and Cultural) • Dunure Castle • Blairquhan Castle • Brodick Castle and Gardens Country Park • Crossraguel Abbey • Lochranza Castle • Dalquarran Castle • Kildonan Castle • Maybole Castle • Arran Heritage Museum, Brodick • Kings Cave, Torbeg (Natural Heritage with Bruce history) • Arran Archaeology (a very large number of sites; Machrie Moor is most Attractions famous for standing stones and circles) North Ayrshire Arran, North Ayrshire (Natural) • Vikingar, Largs • Geology international asset • The Museum of Ayrshire Country Life and Costume, Dalgarvel, • Geomorphology international asset Kilwinning • Largs Museum Ayrshire Country Parks • Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine • Gallery , West Kilbride • Culzean Castle & Country Park, South Ayrshire • West Kilbride Museum • Dean Castle & Country Park, East Ayrshire • North Ayrshire Museum, Saltcoats • Eglinton Castle &Country Park, North Ayrshire • The Heckling Shed and Burns Lodging House, Irvine • Kelburn Castle and Country Park, North Ayrshire • Loudoun Castle and County Park, East Ayrshire East Ayrshire

Ayrshire Castles and Historic Buildings • Dumfries House, Cumnock • Baird Institute , Cumnock North Ayrshire (mainland) • Auchinleck House, Cumnock • Baird Institute, Cumnock • Portencross Castle (Tower) • Burns House Museum, Mauchline • Kilwinning Abbey • The Gallery, Stewarton • Burns Monument Centre and Kay Park, Kilmarnock • Dick Institute, Kilmarnock East Ayrshire • Doon Valley Museum, Dalmellington • High House Winding Gear, Auchinleck • Loch Doon Castle • Barr Castle • Caprington Castle • Carnell Castle • Cessnock Castle • Dundonald Castle • Craufurdland Castle • Kilmaurs Place • Kingenclugh Castle

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South Ayrshire Common aims of the three Ayrshire councils are:

• Stumpy Tower, Girvan • To develop Ayrshire as a quality destination for outdoor access through walking, cycling - • McKechnie Institute, Girvan including mountain biking - and horse riding. • The Rose Gardens, Knockcushan Gardens and Orchard Gardens, Girvan • To ensure that existing and future networks are accessible to residents, non-car owners and • Bargany Gardens, Girvan tourists. • Belleisle, Rozelle, Craigie Parks and Gardens, Ayr • To improve, extend and develop the existing path infrastructure to increase levels of usage. • Maybole Castle • To maximise the potential for access to the coast and open hills. • Maybole Town Hall • To promote initiatives that discourage the use of the car in favour of more active and sustainable • Bruce’s Well, Prestwick modes of transport.3.6.2 • Burns National Heritage Park, Brig O’Doon • Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway 3.6.2 Core Paths • Souter Johnnies Cottage, Kirkoswald • Dunaskin Heritage Centre, Waterside, Dalmellington, Refer to Figure 19 – National Cycle Network and Figure 20 – Core Paths • Cathcartson Visitor Centre, Dalmellington • Dalmellington Mote Core paths designated under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 indicate the key routes that • Scottish Industrial Rail Museum, Dalmellington each local authority has identiﬁ ed following consultations with local communities, land managers and user groups such as Sustrans and the British Horse Society. Core paths are being signposted and will be shown on future editions of Ordnance Survey maps. Figure 20 indicates the location Conservation Areas Properties In Care Scheduled Monuments of the core paths in Ayrshire. East Ayrshire 26 2 29 North Ayrshire 13 10 92 South Ayrshire 21 3 91

Total 60 15 212

3.6 Road and Path Networks

3.6.1 The Types of Paths and Trails that exist in Ayrshire

Path networks are used for a variety of purposes ranging from journeys to school or to work, and also for recreation. Depending on their designation and layout they may be used not only for walking but also shared with cyclists and with horse riders. Walking and cycling are regarded as integral components of transport policy in Ayrshire and have an invaluable role to play in providing a sustainable approach to transport opportunities. The provision of suitable footpath and/or cycle route links will encourage individuals to walk or ride as a practical alternative to trips taken by car.

Public transport in Ayrshire also plays a vital role in an integrated approach to sustainable transport by reducing the dependency on cars. Linking public transport to path networks is important to encourage non-car use of the countryside.

Figure 19 National Cycle Network

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3.6.3 Paths, Trails, Cycle Routes and Their Context

The access legislation in Scotland gives the public the right of access to most land with guidance on exceptions detailed in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. There remains a demand for more paths and routes and the network of core paths in Ayrshire is designed to help fulﬁ l that demand, whilst the location of designated cycle routes in the region is shown in Figure 19 – National Cycle Network. There is no restriction on cyclists or horse riders sharing paths with walkers but clearly an obligation is placed on riders to act in a responsible way.

Path trails, cycle routes and bridleways are present in both urban and rural areas to facilitate access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, for a range of purposes and to a range of destinations, for example:

Schools• Schools• • Places of work • Parks and recreational locations • Exercise • The countryside • Other leisure and pleasure opportunities

Routes to schools promote active travel from an early age and may possibly engender habits of a lifetime, whilst walking or cycling to work is not only sustainable but also contributes to the individual’s health and well being.

3.6.4 Groups

Various groups, such as the Ramblers Scotland and Scottish National Heritage, promote recreational and leisure use of paths for walkers.

Sustrans in Scotland and the Scottish Cyclists Touring Clubs look after the interests of cyclists and actively promote the development of cycling networks and routes, whilst the British Horse Society has a regional organisation working in Ayrshire.

Disabled access groups, such as Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers, represent that sector as the Scottish sister organisation of the Disabled Ramblers Association.

There is a multiplicity of special interest groups working in the green travel sector and upon whom Figure 20 Core Paths the councils may draw for specialist knowledge and information.

It is important to note that Core Paths also have more descriptive titles to assist users in identifying The local authorities remains the statutory bodies for establishing and managing core paths and their nature and character, for example in Ayrshire there are: have the power to maintain them and remove obstructions. However, as this is a not a duty there are no prescribed minimum legal standards applicable to core paths. • Long distance paths - such as the River Ayr Way and the Muirkirk Sanqhar Walk • National cycle network - two National Cycle Network (NCN) routes pass through Ayrshire, NCN Sustrans is thought to be the only other specialist group with access to some limited funding to Route 7 and NCN Route 73 facilitate the extension and/or improvement of the cycling network. • Local cycleways such as the Garnoch Valley Cycleway and Maybole South. • Mountain biking routes for example the Arran Bike Club Black Trail and the Brown Carrick Hills Route. • Coastal paths - in this case the Ayrshire Coastal Path and the Isle of Arran Coastal Way. • Heritage trails include Loch Doon Road, and the Old String Road on Arran

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3.6.5 The importance of the condition of paths for users 3.6.6 Quiet roads and how these form a network with paths

The path networks are used by a variety of users within each of the groups of Refer to Figure 21 – Green Travel Routes walkers, cyclists and horse riders. One size does not fi t all and groups within groups will have different expectations as to what is desirable or represents By their very nature Quiet Roads include rural roads with very little traffi c on a minimum acceptable standard, which will also be infl uenced by journey them but which may still be used by the occasional vehicle, whilst at the other purpose. Journeys to work or school would, for instance, be likely to require end of the scale they cover routes such as former military roads or drover quite different standards to a rural walk over a historic route. roads which are no longer used by vehicles.

Within the walkers group there are those for whom part of the attraction The two cases represent quite different circumstances. In the case of the of the walk includes the physical challenges that a route may present. ‘vehicle free’ road the walker, mountain biker or horse rider would be the Alternatively there are those with mobility impairments that need wheelchair dominant user, such as would be the case for example with the Isle of Arran’s access although it is important to recognise that not all disabled users are Old String Road which has been labelled as a Heritage Path. in wheelchairs as such a group may also include the visually impaired or people with mental health problems. Specialist interest groups for disabled However, in the case of the quiet public highway, whenever a vehicle was ramblers have on occasions used a grading description to give members present it would be the dominant user. This is particularly relevant as these some feeling for the degree of difﬁ culty of their ‘wheelchair walks’ or ‘walks roads have alignments and limited visibility that could be perceived by on wheels’ by using descriptions such as ‘Easy’ ‘Moderate’ or ‘Challenging’. walkers, bikers and riders as threats to their personal safety; although in all other respects they represent good opportunities for active travel over well This wide variety in standards means that it is important to know which established routes. Frequently this latter type of highway will form a link sectors within which groups comprise a path’s users. between two paths thus forming part of an overall route.

Core characteristics of a good path will involve The prime beneﬁ t from using Quiet Roads is that they usually provide access to areas with attractive scenery and by association are considered fresh and • A suitable surface trafﬁ c pollution free. • Appropriate gradients • Adequate width for shared paths – this has a special meaning for bridleways • Clear signing • Appropriate arrangements for gates and other furniture

In addition people need to feel safe and not threatened by their environs, this would be particularly important for children’s safe routes to school.

Figure 21 Green Travel Routes Ayrshire Coast Cycleway DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 29 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

3.6.7 Walking and Cycling Routes in Ayrshire There are a number of websites providing further information on walking and cycling in South Ayrshire on the following: The large number of historic and heritage sites in Ayrshire and Arran are connected by a network of walking and cycling routes as well as quiet roads. • Ayrshire Paths • Ayrshire Coastal Paths • Scottish Natural Heritage North Ayrshire Resources • Sustrans - Routes for People • Mountain Bike Routes and Walks in South West Scotland Refer to Figure 19 – National Cycle Network and Figure 20 – Core Paths • The River Ayr Way • UK Walking Routes • NCN Route 7 runs approximately north to south through North Ayrshire passing through Irvine and Kilwinning and close to Dalry and Kilbirnie. • NCN 73 runs approximately east to west from Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire to Ardrossan in 3.6.8 Major transport corridors as a natural focus for visual landscape North Ayrshire, connecting Irvine, Kilwinning and the Three Towns. enhancement • Both routes provide opportunities to link further aﬁ eld, for example to Glasgow and Ayr on NCN 7 and Brodick and Lochranza on the Island of Arran on NCN 73. The trunk road network in Ayrshire comprises A76, A77, A78, A737 and A738 and provides the core regional transport corridors connecting with Glasgow, Stranraer, and Dumfries, together with East Ayrshire Resources the Scottish motorway network. A supporting network of A class roads serves the region’s needs in addition to feeding and distributing trafﬁ c to and from the trunk roads. • Scottish Coal Cycle Route –Dalmellington - Coalburn in South Lanarkshire • Dean Castle Country Park now has a link route which joins it to the National Cycle Network The landscape across Ayrshire varies from the western sandy coastal strip across a green Route 73, providing access from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan. rolling landscape into the forests, foothills and moorlands in the south and west. Such a variable • Route 7 passes through the Galloway Forest near Maybole. countryside provides the potential for travellers to view the attractive scenery and landscapes. Unfortunately the highways themselves have not necessarily been laid out to provide viewpoints South Ayrshire Resources and vistas and therefore the opportunities for travellers and tourists to enjoy the countryside from their vehicles are quite limited. • Map of Cycle routes in and around South Ayrshire. In the investment corridors and core area there is an opportunity to improve the visual amenity • Map of key environmental and conservation information for South Ayrshire including local adjacent to major road corridors. These are the main arterial routes which are traversed daily by footpaths and cycle routes. commuters, haulage and potential investors. There are frequent lay-bys and ‘left over’ sections • Some routes are wheelchair accessible in normal weather conditions. of road along major highways which have potential to improve setting, views (and view points), • Ayr, Prestwick Girvan and Troon promenades. interpretation and biodiversity. • Paths through Belleisle, Rozelle, Craigie and other public parks. • Fullarton Woods, Troon. • Daily Trails Network and Girvan Water.

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3.7 Vacant and Disused Land 3.7.1 General Location

Refer to Figure 22 – Vacant and Derelict Land A Vacant and Derelict Land Survey has been undertaken in East, North and South Ayrshire, this information is detailed on Figure 22 – Vacant and Derelict Land. Also highlighted on this plan are Vacant land is land that is capable of being re-used. Derelict land is land which is so damaged by the sites in relation to the identiﬁ ed Investment Corridors. previous development or use that it is incapable of re-use without rehabilitation. The Vacant and Derelict Land sites are divided thus:

East Ayrshire - 124 sites (circa 350 ha) North Ayrshire - 286 sites (circa 1,276 ha) South Ayrshire - 48 sites (circa 114 ha)

The majority of the sites are predominantly located within, and around, areas with a former industrial historical use such as Irvine, Ayr, Auchinleck, Prestwick, and Glengarnock. Within North Ayrshire the concentrations of vacant and derelict land are within Irvine Bay, as well as relating to redundant industrial sites at, for example, Ardeer, Lochshore & Willowyard.

Of the 458 sites, only 11 are located outwith the Investment Corridors and Core Towns namely around Sinclairston, Burnside, Burnhouse, Barrmill, Skelmorlie and Barr.

There are no sites in the Carrick Corridor or Glasgow Link Corridor.

With regard to designated contaminated sites in the region (these sites are not necessarily vacant and derelict land):

“East Ayrshire Council in their Contaminated Land Strategy 2010 identiﬁ ed 2,240 historical industrial sites in the district where there is a potential for contamination. The risk based process prioritised all of these sites into ﬁ ve categories. Priority 1 (very high risk), Priority 2 (high risk) and priority 3 (medium risk) are all categories where further inspection is required. Priority 4 (low) and Priority 5 (very low) are categories that do not require inspection. 1,108 Inspection Works have been completed on 831 sites primarily linked to Priority 1, 2 and 3. Of the 831 sites, 685 have been re-prioritised to No Further Action. All (initially prioritised) Priority 1 and 2 sites have been inspected, with 94 sites still in the Inspection process. In Total 1,498 sites have been completed or there is No Further Action, 146 sites are still being inspected and 596 sites have still to commence some form of inspection (all of which were initially Priority 3)”.

3.7.2 Nature of the Land

The nature of Vacant and Derelict Land may relate to the industrial legacy from its historical usage, namely:

• Coalﬁ eld Communities in East Ayrshire. • Mining towns and villages of East Ayrshire, namely Catrine, Auchinleck, Cumnock, Lugar, Logan, Muirkirk, New Cumnock, Patna and Dalmellington. • The harbours of Girvan, Troon and Ardrossan. • The former steelworks site at Glengarnock/Lochshore. • Industrial past related to the major town Centres of Kilmarnock, Ayr and Irvine.

Figure 22 Vacant and Derelict Land

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 31 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 3.0 Description of Existing Key Features

Due to the nature of the former usage, the sites vary in landscape appearance Quarries – (e.g. Afton Brickworks) and structure and can be broadly divided into: Quarries are artiﬁ cial exposures of sand/rock; the exposures and the variable • Naturally re-vegetated colliery spoil (related to former coal communities). steep topography associated with disused quarries provide many valuable • Landscaped colliery spoil (related to former coal communities). green areas and wildlife habitats. • Quarries – brickworks. • Historical Refuse tips. • Reclaimed industrial / commercial land – steelworks / harbours / former garages / disused railways/vacant plots on industrial estates etc. • Former school sites/bowling greens etc.

Naturally revegetated colliery spoil (e.g. Little Mill Colliery at Rankinston, Auchmillan Spoil Heap)

Coal spoil tips are an industrial and cultural legacy. Over the years these spoil tips have been colonised by habitats and species that favour the acidic conditions provided by the tip material and may now support habitats of considerable local biodiversity value. However the visual appearance sometimes looks patchy, with open slopes of visible colliery spoil.

Works near Oahiltree

Refuse tips

Refuse tips that are no longer in active use, usually seeded with a grassland mix. Normally maintenance has ceased on these sites and the undisturbed nature of these tips provides an important refuge for a wide range of plants and animals. Methane and leachate can be signiﬁ cant legacy issues. Opencast adjacent to the A70 near Glenbuck Reclaimed Industrial Areas (e.g. Glengarnock, Irvine Bay)

Landscaped colliery spoils (e.g. Barony - Auchinleck, These undeveloped, reclaimed areas of land are often featureless and Pennyvenie - Dalmellington) covered with hardstanding or seeded grass mix. Characteristic features are landlocked grassed plots within industrial estates. Some tips have undergone restoration in an attempt to blend more naturally into the existing landscape or to create a landform that is more suitable for Former school sites/bowling greens (e.g. School Road - a future after-use. These restored tips often appear rather featureless and Auchinleck /Bank Glen - New Cumnock) of little biodiversity value, but in certain circumstances where they have

undergone major landscape planting they can provide suitable conditions Former, or current, underutilised public amenity or private school grounds for species that were traditionally found in a more agricultural environment. generally seeded or planted areas. A wide range of habitats can be found on landscaped colliery spoil such as scrub, woodland, species-rich grasslands and wetlands.

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING KEY FEATURES 3.0 32 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

4.1 Methodology Green Infrastructure is Ayrshire’s life support system. As described in section 1.4.1 Green Infrastructure The Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap Topography Layer was used for the GIS mapping for the can be considered as comprising of green components which when linked together form a Green following reasons. Network. These components lie within and between the towns and villages and provide multiple social, economic and environmental benefi ts. GIS has been used extensively as part of this study to • It is readily available to public bodies under the One Scotland Mapping Agreement with Ordnance map the existing green infrastructure assets throughout Ayrshire, to identify what functions different Survey areas currently perform and to identify where there is the need to improve the function of an area or • It is generally accepted as the UK’s foremost mapping system areas. The mapping process for this study falls into fi ve main stages: • The polygons are relatively small, which gives a high level of detail and a high level of fi delity to reality • Typology Mapping • It is regularly updated • Functionality Mapping • The polygons are designed to correspond well to real parcels of homogeneous land cover on • Benefi ts Mapping the ground • Needs Mapping • Ordnance Survey have given the polygons several attributes that help with assigning types and • Needs fulfi lled and not fulfi lled Mapping functions to them

and can be summarised by the following diagram: Before the non-technical overview of the mapping method is described it is useful to deﬁ ne the terminology (a detailed methodology is provided as Appendix B):

Typology mapping Functionality mapping Benefi ts mapping Green infrastructure All plants and surface water, wherever they occur. A few examples are a street tree, the lawn in a private domestic garden, a football pitch, a moor, Location & type of GI What does the GI do for us? Where does functionality a river, and the sea. The green infrastructure approach considers all of 18 types 28 functions lead to benefi ts for us? these things as a system which performs multiple functions upon which people and other species rely. e.g. private domestic e.g. recreation, water 5 benefi ts garden, wetland, orchard interception, habitat for e.g. prosperity & Typology A way of dividing green infrastructure up by type wildlife competitiveness, health & well-being Function Something that green infrastructure does that benefi ts people or other species. A few examples are evaporative cooling, food production, and providing a place for recreation.

Needs fulfi lled & not Multifunctionality The number of functions that a piece of green infrastructure performs fulfi lled mapping Where are needs fulfi lled & Benefi t Something that is advantageous or good for the recipient. Green not fulfi lled? infrastructure functions result in benefi ts for people and other species. A few examples are climate change adaptation, health and well-being, and 28 functions economic growth.

Need An urgent want, as of something requisite. Need for green infrastructure is assessed in terms of each of the functions. For example, there is a particular need for green infrastructure performing the recreation functions Needs mapping in areas of high population density. Need fulﬁ lled Places where greatest need and provision of the corresponding function Where is the greatest need both occur for each function? 28 functions Need not fulﬁ lled Places where greatest need occurs but not provision of the corresponding function

The stages of the mapping process follow a methodology that has been developed by The Mersey Forest team for green infrastructure planning. The general methodology (a version of which has been published1) has garnered signiﬁ cant acclaim in the North West of England and further aﬁ eld, and has been used for several previous studies, although it is always evolving.

1 GIS MAPPING PROCESS http://www.ginw.co.uk/resources/A_Green_Infrastructure_Mapping_Method.pdf 4.0 33 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

The green network is made up of green infrastructure, which is deﬁ ned as all plants and surface water, wherever they occur. A few examples are a street tree, the lawn in a private domestic garden, a football pitch, a moor, a river, and the sea. The green infrastructure approach considers all of these things as a system which performs multiple functions upon which people and other species rely, such as evaporative cooling, food production and recreation.

Please note the following sections illustrate the mapping process by example and provide only a small selection of the mapping that has been carried out for functionality, benefi ts, needs, needs fulfi lled and not fulfi lled.

4.2 Typology Maps This step locates all green infrastructure and classiﬁ es it by type, giving a detailed picture of the existing green infrastructure resource. The following is the list of types used.

• Agricultural land • Allotment, community garden or urban farm • Cemetery, churchyard or burial ground • Coastal habitat • Derelict land • General amenity space • Grassland, heathland, moorland or scrubland • Institutional grounds Orchard• Orchard• • Outdoor sports facility • Park or public garden • Private domestic garden • Water body • Water course W etland• Wetland• • Woodland

The following map shows the output of this step. The main datasets used to reach this point were Ordnance Survey MasterMap, the Greenspace Audit and the Phase 1 Habitat Survey.

Figure 8 Existing Typology for Ayrshire

GIS MAPPING PROCESS 4.0 34 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process Trapping Air Pollutants 4.3 Functionality

Green infrastructure performs a range of functions that are of beneﬁ t to people and Where each of these functions is currently other species. The following is the list of 28 functions used in this study. performed by the existing green infrastructure was mapped using the typology mapping plus a range of other datasets. The Integrated Habitat Network • recreation - public data was used to help map the two wildlife functions. In some cases, it was not possible to be sure for • recreation - private certain pieces of land whether they perform certain • recreation - public with restrictions functions, so instead likelihoods were assigned. The following map is one of the 28 individual function • green travel route maps shown as an example. Note that the different shades of blue refer to different likelihoods of the • aesthetic green infrastructure performing the function. • shading from sun • evaporative cooling • trapping air pollutants • noise absorption • habitat for wildlife • corridor for wildlife • soil stabilisation Figure 23 Function Map Example – Trapping Air Pollutants • heritage Multifunctionality • cultural asset • carbon storage The 28 function maps were also added together • food production to give multifunctionality – the number of functions performed (or likely to be performed) by each piece • timber production of green infrastructure. • biofuels production • wind shelter • learning • inaccessible water storage • accessible water storage • water interception • water inﬁ ltration • coastal storm protection • water conveyance • pollutant removal from soil/water

• ﬂ ow reduction through surface roughness Figure 24 Multifunctionality

GIS MAPPING PROCESS 4.0 35 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

4.4 Beneﬁ ts

The functions that green infrastructure performs lead to benefi ts for humans Where these benefi ts are currently provided can be mapped by creating multifunctionality maps and other species. The Central Scotland Green Network project describes these based on subsets of the complete function list. These subsets are the functions that most directly and benefi ts as follows2. undeniably lead to each benefi t. The following is one of the fi ve benefi t maps, shown as an example. It shows where the benefi t is currently provided by the existing green infrastructure. • It will make Central Scotland a more prosperous and competitive place. In the modern economy, place matters. Knowledge-based businesses, and the people who work in them, are looking for attractive and distinctive environments. Health and Well-being Outside the major cities, Central Scotland has tended to compete on the basis of cost and accessibility to the roads network but this is no longer suffi cient. The CSGN has a key role to play in ensuring that the towns of Central Scotland Figure 25 Benefi t Map Example are attractive and competitive business locations for an economy based on knowledge, skills and creativity; and in addressing negative perceptions of the area by promoting the region as a ‘green’ place to live and work.

• It will promote health and well-being. The evidence now tells us that access to, and enjoyment of, good quality green space and nearby countryside can make a major contribution to physical and mental health and to the well-being of communities. Children need natural places to play; young people and adults need places for exercise and sport; people of all ages beneﬁ t from safe and attractive places to walk, sit and meet. Walking and cycling networks encourage sustainable travel; community growing and gardens provide physical exercise and encourage healthy eating and they can be of enormous therapeutic value for people with learning difﬁ culties or mental health problems.

• It will make Central Scotland a more attractive and distinctive place to live. Too many people in Central Scotland live in drab and degraded environments which have a huge inﬂ uence on how communities see themselves and are perceived by others. The green network will have a key role to play in changing the face of these forgotten communities, making them attractive places in which to live and bring up families. Celebrating historic and cultural heritage fosters community pride and distinctiveness. The CSGN will also provide structuring principles for new development so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

• It will enhance the nature and landscapes of Central Scotland and support the Government’s objectives for a greener Scotland. The environmental beneﬁ ts of green spaces and nearby countryside increase exponentially when they are linked together in a network. Green infrastructure provides essential “environmental services”, sustainable drainage, ﬂ ood prevention, biodiversity, improved air quality, a reduction in noise and visual pollution and a reduction in carbon emissions. The CSGN will create a landscape which will maximise the environmental value of these services.

• It will make a major contribution to Scotland’s efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Investing in green space and active travel will help us to move towards a low-carbon economy and to mitigate the effects of climate change such as an increase in winter rainfall. In urban areas, sustainable drainage systems mimic natural drainage by slowing and absorbing rainfall and run-off; new and restored wetlands and managed coastal retreats promote biodiversity and reduce the risk of ﬂ ooding. Figure 25 Beneﬁ t Map Example

2 GIS MAPPING PROCESS http://www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=17 4.0 36 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

4.5 Needs 4.6 Needs Fulﬁ lled and Not Fulﬁ lled

In order to plan interventions it is necessary to know where there is particular need for each function as Once the locations of greatest need and existing functionality have been identifi ed, it is possible to further well as where they are currently performed. Therefore the areas where there is the greatest need for each identify where need for each of the functions is fulfi lled by existing provision of that function, and where it function were identifi ed. Because need is not necessarily linked to provision, and to avoid double counting, isn’t fulfi lled. A particular piece of green infrastructure that performs a function that fulfi ls a particular need this mapping was carried out independently from the previous stages. A range of datasets were used, for that function is an asset in terms of that function. Intervention such as creation or enhancement of green including the Integrated Habitat Network for the wildlife functions, and socio-economic statistics for other infrastructure should be targeted at locations where a particular need is not fulfi lled by existing provision of functions. The following map shows greatest need for one of the 28 functions, shown as an example of the the function in question. Therefore these maps identify green infrastructure assets to be protected, as well 28 such individual maps produced. as areas to be targeted for intervention. The following is one of the 28 maps showing need fulfi lled and not fulfi lled for each individual function, shown as an example.

Trapping air pollutants Trapping air pollutants

Figure 26 Needs Map Example – Trapping Air Pollutants Figure 27 Needs Fulﬁ lled and Not Fulﬁ lled Example – Trapping Air Pollutants

GIS MAPPING PROCESS 4.0 37 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

Needs fulfi lled and not fulfi lled maps were also produced in terms of all of the functions put together, and in terms of each of the benefi ts. The former and examples of the latter follow.

Needs Fulﬁ lled Needs Not Fulﬁ lled

Figure 28 Needs Fulﬁ lled Map for Ayrshire Figure 29 Needs Not Fulﬁ lled for Ayrshire

Health and Well-being Health and Well-being Needs Fulﬁ lled Needs Not Fulﬁ lled

Figure 30 Needs Fulﬁ lled Example – Health and Well-being Figure 31 Needs Not Fulﬁ lled Example - Health and Well-being

GIS MAPPING PROCESS 4.0 38 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

4.7 Analysis

4.7.1 Function Mapping

The function (something that green infrastructure does that beneﬁ ts people or other species) mapping follows the process summarised by Function Table illustrated in Appendix B.

The purpose of this table is to show which of the functions are performed by which of the types of green infrastructure. It was constructed by the following process.

1. Each combination of type and function was considered in depth and assigned to a category to indicate whether land of the type in question always, sometimes or never performs the function in question to a level above an assigned threshold

2. Where a cell was assigned to the sometimes category, a condition was assigned to indicate what it is that determines whether a piece of land of the type in question performs the function in question

3. The draft table was shown to a panel of experts and modiﬁ ed as per their comments

4. The completed table was used to map the functionality of a test area

5. Statistics from the test area mapping, along with expert judgement and consideration of applicability to other areas, were used to assign a likelihood to those cells assigned to the sometimes category where data to evaluate the condition would probably not be readily available for large areas

4.7.2 Beneﬁ t Mapping

The benefi t mapping utilises combinations of function mapping to illustrate the benefi ts that green infrastructure performs. The following table illustrates the functions that have been selected to meet the benefi ts and objectives of the CSGN:

The purpose of this table is to show which of the beneﬁ ts result most directly and uncontroversially from which of the functions. The table was developed by FUNCTION Mersey Forest from a previous table linking the function to North West England’s eleven beneﬁ ts of green infrastructure, which was constructed by considering each combination in depth then checking the result with a panel of experts.

The Benefi t Maps are illustrated in detail in Appendix B ltration ow reduction through surface roughness recreation - public recreation - private recreation - public with restrictions green travel route aesthetic shading from sun evaporative cooling trapping air pollutants noise absorption habitat for wildlife corridor for wildlife soil stabilisation heritage cultural asset carbon storage food production timber production biofuels production wind shelter learning inaccessible water storage accessible water storage water interception water infi coastal storm protection water conveyance pollutant removal from soil/water fl

prosperity & competitiveness health & well-being attractiveness & distinctiveness enhanced nature & landscapes BENEFIT climate change mitigation & adaptation

GIS MAPPING PROCESS 4.0 39 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 4.0 GIS Mapping Process

4.7.3 Needs Mapping

As described in section 4.5 in order to plan interventions it is necessary to know where there is a particular need for each function in Ayrshire as well as understanding of where these functions are currently performed. This process leads to Needs Fulﬁ lled and Not Fulﬁ lled maps which are illustrated in full in Appendix B.

Needs not fulfi lled have been mapped for all of Ayrshire including Ayrshire’s Core Investment Area and Investment Corridors providing the basis for identifying specifi c broad target areas to improve and enhance Ayrshire’s Green Network. The needs and needs not fulfi lled are illustrated for each of the Investment areas in Section 6.0 and linked to the objectives of the CSGN. Action Plans have been produced for each area.

The % areas where the Needs are not Fulﬁ lled in Investment Areas are summarised in the Action Plans illustrated in section 6.0 and extracted for each area as part of the Action Plans. The purpose of this table is to show the proportion of land area within each Investment Area where greatest need for each function is not fulﬁ lled by existing provision of that function. It was constructed by comparing the map of greatest need for each function with the map of provision of that function within each Investment Area.

GIS MAPPING PROCESS 4.0 40 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

5.1 Socio-Economic Drivers and Funding

Creation and management of the Ayrshire Green Network will cost many millions of pounds. Capital funding will be required for creation of new green infrastructure assets and revenue funding for the provision of staffi ng to coordinate action and undertake maintenance and management over the long term. The concept of Ecosystem services provides a framework for looking at Public whole ecosystems in decision making, and for valuing the ecosystem services they provide, to funding used ensure that society can maintain a healthy and resilient natural environment now and for future to gear the generations. Using the ecosystems services approach it is possible for environmental economists to establish a Net Present Value for the Ayrshire Green Network. It is recommended that this fi gure is established to provide a fi nancial benchmark.

In Ayrshire the two main drivers of the Green Network are: Enabling and • The National Planning Framework 2: CSGN facilitating • Investment Corridors role that attracts investment from In respect of the former it is expected that as a national priority the CSGN will bring public resources public, private and to the Ayrshire Green Network. It is not expected that these public resources will pay for the voluntary sector creation and management of the Green Network. The priority for public funding should be:- sources • To wholly pay for the costs of enabling and facilitation, namely a professional team who fulfi l these roles. It is proposed that this is referred to as the Ayrshire Green Network Unit. • To contribute to the costs of the soft infrastructure which will be a key element of delivery through a partnership-led approach, • To contribute funds into an Action Plan of projects; funds which can be used as ‘matched funding’ to draw in third party support from private and public resources such as the Lottery and EU structural funds. A major objective should be to ensure that all existing sources of public funding are working to their full potential. This requires two actions: In respect of investment corridors, public funds should be used for: 1. Reviewing all existing public funding sources and ensuring that no opportunities are being • Advanced landscaping, notably extensive tree planting, especially in major travel corridors. missed. In particular an appraisal is needed of existing European structural funds available • Providing sustainable transport alternatives, notably a grid of cycle routes linked to bus and to Ayrshire, and secondly funding available through SRDP for agri-environment measures rail hubs. including forestry. Comments received through this study suggest that the former is being • Ensuring that a given percentage of funds attracted for built development is available for green under-utilised and that the latter is signifi cantly under-utilised and that the main reason for this infrastructure; it is proposed that 10% is the benchmark fi gure. is the lack of soft infrastructure to promote agri-environment measures and the complexity of • Temporary greening of sites, including their use for energy forestry/crops, where development the grant process. A consultancy body should be engaged to actively promote and deliver the is not expected for >10 years. untapped benefi ts and resources within SRDP funding. • Develop and maintain a register of sites suitable for green infrastructure within each investment corridor. 2. Ensuring that there is an active process of reviewing all new grants that become available.

This responsibility should sit with an Ayrshire Green Network Unit.

PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 41 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

5.2 Private/Public Sector Partnership Working 5.3 Inspiring Communities, Organisations and Business

No sector of the economy is large enough to implement the Ayrshire Green Notwithstanding the key role of an Ayrshire Green Network Partnership (AGNP) Network alone. The only practical mechanism is delivery through a partnership as a forum for discussion, debate and communication, the objectives of the approach. There are a number of existing partnerships in Ayrshire and it is CSGN in Ayrshire will only be delivered if the projects developed in support recommended that these are brought together under the auspices of a single of the Green Network are communicated to the public at large, including Ayrshire Green Network Partnership (AGNP). This is desirable; (a) to avoid visitors, in an accessible and inspiring way. There are many examples that duplication and repetition of work between different forums, (b) improve can be used as a reference and then amended to devise a locally appropriate communications and liaison, (c) maximise on-going attendance. Examples of approach; some of these good examples include: forums that could join the AGNP include the Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group and Ayrshire and Arran Woodland Partnership. • The Mersey Forest • Green Grid South Essex Existing forums are generally dominated by public sector interests, notably • 6Cs Green Infrastructure the local authorities and key environmental agencies such as SEPA, SNH • Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network and FCS. The forums need balancing between the three recognised sectors of civil society and to this end the proposed Ayrshire Green Network Unit The long term success of the Ayrshire Green Network requires: AGN Co-ordinator (refer to section 7.1) should attract representatives from ENGO’s, leading private sector companies (especially those using green • A staff post dedicated to marketing and communications and funding products), representation from the farming and landowning sector and active opportunities. community organisations. • A strong and locally recognisable brand image which is used on publications and on-sites. To facilitate the involvement of the private and voluntary sectors it is • Tie-ups with local radio, newspapers and internet providers with regular recommended that meetings of the AGNP take place after normal working media coverage. hours (experience elsewhere has shown that twilight time meetings can work • Activities targeted at mass-public participation (possibly linked with theme well, (e.g. 17.15 to 19.30). days e.g. International day for biological diversity). • Opportunities for companies to use their name on events and sites. Consideration should be given to appointing a chairperson to the AGNP who is not from the public sector but a respected person in business or the It is recommended that a full colour annual report is produced and used as voluntary sector; this can help draw in ﬁ nancial and logistical support from a key marketing document and that a A5 ﬂ yer based on this is delivered to outside of the public sector. The Ayrshire Green Network Unit would provide every household in Ayrshire in the most economic way (e.g. as an insert in the secretariat. free newspaper etc.).

A memorandum of agreement can be used to deﬁ ne the levels of involvement from all parties. Such a document would not be legally binding but would have inﬂ uence.

To support the work of the AGNP consideration should be given to the production of:

1. A graphic rich Ayrshire Green Network strategy. 2. An annual action plan (Year 1 in detail, Year 2 and 3 in outline). 3. Suite of supporting publications including an Annual report, which would also be a key accompanying document when applying for third-party funds. 4. Interactive website, containing all key documents but also a forum for public involvement and notices of forthcoming activities. The AGNP would have an advisory role in respect of the Manager of the Ayrshire Green Network.

Community Interpretation Area, Muirkirk

PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 42 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

Soft Infrastructure 5.4 Regeneration Priorities in Ayrshire

The term “soft” infrastructure is increasingly used to describe the roles performed by different 5.4.1 Ayrshire Joint Structure – Growing a Sustainable Ayrshire (approved 22.11.07) parts of civil society in maintaining the economic, social and environmental infrastructure of communities. Over the last 30 years there has been an increasing trend away from public- A prime objective of the Plan is to ensure that Ayrshire is an attractive place in which to live, work, centred provision of infrastructure services, with a compensatory larger role for communities, visit and invest. All areas have to maintain and improve their assets. There are a few areas the voluntary sector and private enterprise. Driving this has been a recognition that the costs of where the market has been failing to bring forward sufﬁ cient investment to regenerate and renew supplying services is outstripping the ability of the public sector to deliver the resources required itself and where under investment may be gathering pace and be cumulative. All three Councils whilst maintaining public support on levels of taxation. It is probable that resources from the have, through the community planning process, developed initiatives to tackle the many complex public sector towards achieving the objectives of the CSGN in Ayrshire will continue to be limited issues involved in regeneration. Regeneration Outcome Agreements have been published and and can reasonably be expected to decline in real terms through time. these set out in more detail local priorities and action.

The voluntary sector could play a major role in delivering the Ayrshire Green Network but will not The Structure Plan provides a Strategic Land Use context for action at the more local level. The do so unless: Scottish Executive’s 2006 regeneration policy statement identiﬁ ed the whole of Ayrshire as a priority for regeneration. The ‘Irvine Bay’ area in particular is recognised at the national level • They have a key role in delivering the Ayrshire Green Network strategy. as requiring long term funding to overcome social, economic and environmental problems. This • Receive public sector investment funding over a long term to pay for a small but critical element process is supported by national funding for the Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. of core staff. • Are able to match their time against capital grants (as is permitted in Lottery funding There is national recognition of the structural problems faced by the former Coalﬁ eld Communities programmes). in southern Ayrshire through the National Planning Framework. The deep mining industry on which these communities were based has long since gone and their relative isolation is such that It is recommended that in developing a Green Network strategy that the role of the voluntary they are unable to attract new investment and do not have easy access to alternative sources of sector is explored and that an allocation of funding is made and sustained to build this capacity. employment.

In most cases the private sector can play a role without the need for investment; what is generally Local regeneration priorities have been identiﬁ ed around the harbours of Girvan, Troon and needed to motivate the private sector is the ability to utilise their enlightened self interest. This Ardrossen and the former strategic site at Glengarnock/Lochshore. Town Centre regeneration can include: initiatives have also been identiﬁ ed for Kilmarnock, Ayr and Irvine. Within South Ayrshire, Girvan was previously designated as a Social Inclusion Partnership area. Following the incorporation • Marketing opportunities, targeting their customer base and also their own internal market of SIP activity into the Community Planning Process, partnership work has continued within the (employees and share holders). town with an emphasis on social development and environment improvements. Similarly, parts • Corporate social responsibility and corporate environmental responsibility, targeting the of Ayr which were previously designated as SIPs are the focus of coordinated activity under the company’s annual report. Community Planning process and the Lochside area of the town is the subject of major housing • Employee involvement (for example in practical conservation projects). led, urban renewal action. The regeneration of Ayr Town Centre is being coordinated through • Linkage between planning permission and S75 provision. Ayr Renaissance (a limited liability partnership) and has used Town Centre Regeneration Fund • Good neighbourhood activities (especially in relation to environmentally sensitive activities monies awarded in 2009, to carry out environmental enhancement work and bring vacant shops such as open cast coal mining). units back into use.

A small grants programme should be targeted at local community groups undertaking green Within North Ayrshire, Irvine and the other Irvine Bay Communities are the focus of regeneration network projects. The purpose of these grants is for the purchase of materials and tools and actions identiﬁ ed by Irvine Bay URC. These include urban realm works in Kilwinning (completed) insurance from bodies such as BTCV Scotland. The value of grants can be small and may range and Irvine town centre (not yet commenced) and investigation of temporary greening of surplus from £50 to £250. Application should be made very easy and be on a form with no more than industrial land (ongoing project being undertaken under the guidance of the Paul Hogarth Co.). basic questions and no more than A4 in size. Groups should however be made aware of other Scottish Enterprise are championing the regeneration of the former steelworks at Glengarnock/ sources of funding, notably through the BIG Lottery for larger projects and support given by the Lochshore, however this project is at an early stage in terms of progress. Townscape enhancement Ayrshire Green Network Unit. work has/is being undertaken within Beith and Kilbirnie in the Garnock Valley area.

The absence of a Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group is a serious impediment to realising the potential of SRDP in delivering the Green Network. Farmers and landowners are not expected to respond to a new initiative – the Ayrshire Green Network – without support from advisors who can help release the funds available through SRDP. In response, consideration should be given to:

• Employing a farmer and landowner liaison ofﬁ ce in the AGN Unit. • Employing constant advisors to bring new schemes forward linked to the Ayrshire Green Network strategy (Forestry Commission Scotland have promoted such schemes in respect of WIAT e.g. Scottish Borders Council). PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 43 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

Within East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock and Cumnock town centres are the East Ayrshire Council’s Open Space Strategy, Entec 2008 states that the focus of regeneration plans led by the Council. Masterplans have been ‘strategy must be sustainable and address local needs of communities now prepared for both town centres. An Inquiry by Design of the communities and in the future and will require concerted action of an extended period and of Mauchline, Auchinleck, Cumnock and New Cumnock was undertaken will need to address the many challenges in relation to open space provision, in 2009 by the Princes Foundation for the Environment. The Coalfi elds priorities, investment, management and local engagement’ and identifi es the Regeneration Trust and East Ayrshire Coalfi elds Environment Initiative aims as follows: are active within East Ayrshire. The coalfi eld area is not specifi cally defi ned but includes the former mining towns and villages of Catrine, Achinleck, • Establish effective partnership working – establish broader consultation Cumnock, Lugar, Muirkirk, New Cumnock, Patna and Dalmellington. and closer integration with Development Plan and Community Plan policies; Other regeneration initiatives and individual projects of a smaller scale have • Set locally appropriate standards; been undertaken. The regeneration spatial priorities described above are • Commitment to quality; recognised and promoted through policy COMM 1 of the Approved structure • Encourage active participation; and Plan. (Source Ayrshire JPU). • Secure best value.

5.5 Links with CSGN Initiatives and Goals for the AGN It is signiﬁ cant that only 1 park in Ayrshire has adopted Green Flag as a benchmark of quality and it recommended that this scheme is adopted for all 5.5.1 CSGN’s Vision for Central Scotland ‘is of a place transformed by the major green community spaces, providing targets to achieve criteria which creation of a high quality green network, which will enrich people’s lives, include ‘A Welcoming Park’, ‘A Park which is Healthy, Safe and Secure’, promote economic prosperity, allow nature to ﬂ ourish and help Scotland A Park which is Well Maintained and Clean’ etc. The standard applies to respond to the challenge of climate change’. country parks as well as urban parks.

CSGN have set 10 goals for 2030, realising and applying these goals to The goal also applies to private development maximising the beneﬁ t of Section Ayrshire is considered below: 75 Agreements and the creation of well designed, sustainable spaces.

5.5.2 Goal 1 To ensure that every home is within 300m of an attractive, safe, well-maintained green space or accessible countryside,

Refer to Figure 32 – Communities within 300 metres of Greenspace / Accessible Countryside

Figure 5 illustrates communities in Ayrshire with a population greater than 2000; in general these are concentrated along the coast e.g. Ardossan, Irvine, Troon, Prestwick and Ayr. Kilmarnock is a distinct entity, as are the more isolated towns to the east and south e.g. Galston, Mauchline, Cumnock, Patna, Maybole and Girvan. Whilst most towns have countryside in close proximity this is not necessarily accessible countryside, although Ayrshire is well provided with Core Paths (refer to Figure 20).

The challenge of providing attractive, safe, well maintained green space links directly to revenue funding, maximising the beneﬁ t and ‘getting the best out of’ existing green spaces, particularly those underutilised, often mown grass spaces that contribute little in terms of the community and biodiversity. These spaces should be examined in detail and linked to the Green Space Audit and open space strategies:

Figure 32 Communities within 300 metres of Greenspace / Accessible Countryside

PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 44 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

5.5.3 Goal 2 To improve the green infrastructure of all our major towns and cities by investing in green and blue space, tree planting and sustainable urban drainage,

This goal links closely to the National Planning Framework, Planning Policy, masterplanning, urban renewal, regeneration initiatives and associated programmes (Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan ‘Growing a Sustainable Ayrshire COMM 1 Regeneration, COMM 2 Housing Investment, COMM 3 Housing Land Release, COMM 5 Housing in the Countryside, ENV 8 Flooding, ENV 9 Water Framework Directive).

The Green Network Strategy for Ayrshire should be developed to identify:

• Where is the Green and Blue Space in Ayrshire? • The objectives of SEPA through the Water Framework Directive, Sustainable urban Drainage, (SUDS), Catchment Sensitive Farming and initiatives of the Ayrshire Rivers Trust. • Where is the existing established Green Space? • Quality of existing Green Space. • How is green space currently managed, how does it contribute to Green Networks, can it be better managed to achieve a greater contribution for the community and to link to the wider potential network? (Linking to Ayrshire Green Space Audit, East Ayrshire Open Space Strategy etc). • Underused green space. • Golf courses – a major recreational feature of Ayrshire with well known facilities along the coast, potential for a sustainable eco-course management initiative. Refer to Appendices A and D. • Links to Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan ‘Growing a Sustainable Ayrshire’ ENV1 Landscape Quality, ENV 2 landscape Protection, ENV 3 Core Investment Area Landscape, ENV 4 Green Network. • Contribution of new development and regeneration incorporating sustainable urban drainage, tree planting and high quality green spaces, • Development of specifi c ‘green’ briefs for masterplanning and site development in the Core Area and strategic sites. • Section 75 Agreements associated with new development. • Tree Planting – review of existing tree stock in towns and development of a phased programme for renewal, Figure 33 Business Locations replacement and management. • Links to potential projects including Urban Forestry, WIAT and Ayrshire schools Green Initiative (refer to Appendix A) • Potential environmental improvements programme. • Green Network specifi c aims through Section 75 Agreements. 5.5.4 Goal 3 To create a high quality environment for business, by enhancing the landscape setting of every • Reducing vacant and derelict land through small and medium sized town in Central Scotland and reducing vacant and derelict land to an absolute Short & long term solutions minimum. Temporary Greening – Energy forest, biodiversity and visual benefi ts Bioremediation Refer to Figure 33 – Business Locations and Figure 34 - Opencast Locations Notable features of Ayrshire are the large scale bonded whisky warehouses, which are The GIS information in Appendix D identifi es the location of business in Ayrshire as well as vacant and derelict land prominent features in the countryside/urban fringe. The spaces around the warehouses (refer to Figures 22 and 33). Links to Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan ‘Growing a Sustainable Ayrshire’ ECON 1 Gateway have great potential for improving biodiversity, visual screening and grassland Locations, ECON 2 Strategic Business Locations, ECON Local and Other business Opportunities and ECON 4 management contributing to an improved green network. Reallocation of Surplus Industrial Land, LDP and Planning Conditions. The Ayrshire Green Network Strategy should identify: Options for the future of Vacant and Derelict Land include:

• Existing business locations. As part of the strategy an inspection survey should be undertaken of all the sites to • Vacant and derelict land suitable for business. determine the possibilities and opportunities for Green Infrastructure enhancement e.g. in • Small and medium sized towns and potential for temporary greening, urban forestry and WIAT schemes associated the form of planting / seeding / maintenance / remediation / biodiversity enhancement. with business locations. • Environmental Improvements to setting including. The majority of the sites are located within the Investment Corridors and their upgrade/ Approaches and Links, Rail and Road Corridors enhancement will beneﬁ t the overall impression of a Green sustainable corridor and Entrances/Gateways hence be a potential catalyst for inward cultural and ﬁ nancial investment. Fringes Internal layouts PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 45 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

Reclaimed Industrial Areas - the contamination legacy of a site may limit the development or planting potential due to the ﬁ nancial constraints, however, all sites can be remediated. If development is not suitable a planting and maintenance regime should be implemented to enhance the green setting of the site and if possible introduce public amenity. If restrictions exist on the site due to the nature of the contamination, many options for remediation exist e.g. bio remediation/land farming techniques.

Former school sites/bowling greens - these sites may require enhancement and introduction of a variety of planting regimes to uplift the visual and public amenity opportunities.

From the data we have been provided regarding the location of the sites, the degree of detail varies between East, South and North Ayrshire e.g. only grid reference or name address and previous use.

We understand the councils must hold all this information in some form and we would recommend, as part of the next stage of the study, collation of all sites in a single database spreadsheet identifying - Name, Address, Grid Location, Area, Current Use, Former Use, Details of any remediation/planting or ongoing management and reports pertaining to the site history. This will assist greatly in the identifi cation of opportunities and possibilities for Green Infrastructure enhancement. Figure 34 Opencast Locations 5.5.5 Goal 4 To deliver a threefold increase in the area of land used for Within the site characteristics discussed a review of potential options can be community growing – allotments, orchards and gardens. evaluated: This ambitious goal should be developed through both the public and private Naturally revegetated colliery spoil – enhancement and protection of sectors though: existing wildlife, fl ora and fauna and, if required in patchy areas, introduction of seed mixes specifi cally suitable for planting on colliery spoil heaps e.g. • Private sector – part of masterplanning, new housing offer/planning Conservation Grassland Mix - (Neutral MG5 type grassland) and associated condition/Section 75 Agreements, potential to embrace a Garden City hardy shrubs. type ethos/vision. • Public Sector – consider orchards and allotments for underused Landscaped colliery spoils – enhance the existing landscape planting and Green Space, involving/creating community trusts, gauging demand for introduce a management plan to protect the implemented planting regime. allotments in Ayrshire. Introduction of seed mixes specifi cally suitable for planting on colliery spoil • Assessment of the current areas of gardens/allotments, etc. and potential heaps e.g. Conservation Grassland Mix - (Neutral MG5 type grassland) demand from the community. and associated hardy shrubs can enhance the visual appearance of the feature. There are two current projects funded by Ayrshire LEADER to support the creation of new allotments/growing spaces which suggests latent demand Quarries – undertake a planting regime in certain areas but retain the rugged for this type of facility. South Ayrshire Council manages three public allotment exposure characteristics of the quarries which have a unique landscape facilities. The availability of land in Ayrshire, its benefi cial climate and potential appearance. Perimeter tree planting can soften visually the imprint in for brownfi eld redevelopment may provide major opportunities for low density, the landscape. Quarries can be considered for certain types of amenity self build eco home type developments and crofting/small holding (refer to development. Appendix A).

For the above, consideration should be given to Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) which is coppice grown as an energy crop. This woody solid biomass can be used in applications such as district heating, electric power generating stations, alone or in combination with other fuels SRC can be planted on a wide range of soil types from heavy clay to sand, including land reclaimed from gravel extraction and colliery spoil. PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 46 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

5.5.6 Goal 5 To deliver at least a 50% increase in woodland cover, in line with the Scottish The GIS mapping helps to identify where are the gaps and potential linkages. However the Forestry target. mapping has identifi ed that improving habitats is not only about improving corridors and links but also the blocky’ nature of habitats in Ayrshire. Ayrshire has considerable woodlands and forestry associated with its upland areas. The CSGN Vision of a 50% increase of woodland seems impractical in Ayrshire, given that uplands may ‘Ensuring that every community has access to places where people can experience and enjoy be more benefi cial as mires/peatlands, providing carbon sinks to counter global warming. The nature and wildlife’ provides the opportunity for a number of linked projects in Ayrshire (refer to establishment of woodlands on derelict and disused land, urban and urban fringe land will provide Appendix A): the most benefi t to green networks in Ayrshire. • Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative The AGN Strategy should link closely to the Ayrshire and Arran Woodland Strategy, 2006 Scottish • Catchment Sensitive Farming Forestry Target/2010 Right Tree Right Place, Future Woodland and Forestry Guidance (parallel • Urban Forestry Project study currently underway) and Env 3 Core Investment Area Landscape – greenbelt at Ayr, • Green Sustainable Living Prestwick & Troon, potential greenbelt protection area; ENV 4 Green Network D – ‘the three • Lay-by Project Councils shall prepare a Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT) to promote environmental regeneration and recreational access, especially within and between communities in the Core Ayrshire already has a signifi cant juxtaposition of large scale industry and the natural environment. Investment Area and Investment Corridors’. There are also a number of European exemplar projects which demonstrate that development can be successfully established as part of the natural environment, e.g. Malmo Sweden, Freiberg The AGN Strategy shall consider: and Emsche Park in Germany. The lessons from these projects can be applied to Ayrshire and perhaps a demonstration project could be specifi cally developed for Ayrshire. • Promotion of programmes to deliver increase in woodland cover. • Urban fringe potential – links with Goals 1, 2 & 3 and WIAT initiative. 5.5.8 Goal 7 To deliver a strategic network of high-quality routes for active travel and • Increase broadleaf cover associated with river corridors. recreation throughout Central Scotland. • Potential increase of woodland on farmland and identifi cation of less productive land (indications are that the value of farmland is increasing in line with global demand for food production). Refer to Figure 35 – Population within 2 km of a Railway or Bus Station • Temporary greening of vacant land. • Establishment of woodlands as a framework for development – business and residential. The establishment of Core Paths is a statutory requirement under the Land Reform (Scotland) • Supply for ‘Energy Forest’. Act 2003. Some 76% of Ayrshire’s population live within 2 km of a railway or bus station. There • Ways of continuing the considerable work of East Ayrshire Woodlands and potential of Irvine is therefore great potential to create local active travel routes. Improving paths trails and cycling Forest. routes will result in more energetic or active forms of travel which not only improve health and • Establishing woodland as part of opencast restoration as well as ‘calling in’/reviewing existing carbon reduction (sustainability) but also signifi cantly increase the awareness of the green network restoration plans to work with operators to maximise benefi ts to green network establishment. and its environs.

5.5.7 Goal 6 To plan and deliver an integrated habitat network at a landscape scale with wildlife It is important to remember that one size does not fi t all and, for example, although most of corridors joining up key sites and habitats, ensuring that every community has access the Ayrshire Coastal Route and River Ayr Route are only suitable for walking, the introduction to places where people can experience and enjoy nature and wildlife, of improvements to facilitate shared use with the cyclists and/or horse riders may signifi cantly change the character of the route. A parallel study is currently underway to deliver an Integrated Habitat Network (IHN) plan for Ayrshire, enabling linkage with neighbouring habitat networks, in particular the Glasgow Clyde It is essential that any routes and networks created are designed and constructed to an appropriate Valley Network. The objectives of the IHN are to identify: standard and are therefore fi t for purpose.

• Focal species appropriate to the region, and to research and describe elements of their autology The aim is to achieve a modal transfer to more active forms of travel; therefore there is a case to classify their functional interaction with habitat and the matrix of the wider landscape. to afford priority only to those paths that do not need a car to access them. This would best be • Key areas for native woodland restoration and expansion in order to link core woodland habitats achieved through the extension of the existing urban path networks into the urban fringe, where across Ayrshire and between neighbouring networks. practicable, creating circular routes, with the standards of provision suitable for shared use by • Key areas for expansion or restoration of a number of identifi ed open ground habitats to link cyclists as well as the disabled and families. core habitat areas within Ayrshire and between neighbouring areas, to maintain their ecological function and viability, as well as creating a functionally connected network. A secondary strand with equal priority would be the encouragement of schools to produce their own • Land-use confl icts and opportunities between key habitat networks and development proposals, travel plans and include the identifi cation of, or demand for, safe walking and cycling routes. historic landscapes, archaeological records and landscape character. • Links with neighbouring habitat networks. • Links between semi-natural habitats and community access. • New areas for planting woodland or creating other key open habitats in association with the Development Plan priorities. • Confi rm funding opportunities and links to SRDP priorities. PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 47 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

Other initiatives to be examined during development of the AGN Strategy shall include: • Potential of disused railway lines e.g. Kilmarnock – Galston- Mewmilns- Darvel – links to Louden Hill, an historic landmark/geological feature (good destination) and outside Ayrshire onto Strathaven, also links westwards from Kilmarnock to NCN route 73. Kilmarnock northwards to Kilwinning and Dalry Doon Valley – Patna to Dalmellington including Industrial Railway Centre. Muirkirk to Cumnock and link to Doon Valley • Green Commuting and Heritage Links Projects (refer to appendix A)

5.5.9 Goal 8 To ensure that the green network is used by everyone to improve health and well-being through physical activity and contact with nature, volunteering and learning outdoors.

Refer to Figure 36 – Health Deprivation

Promotion and use of the green network is an important objective of the CSGN, linking closely to the recommendation for a Communications specialist within the AGN development team (refer to Section 7.).

The AGN Strategy should consider the following aspects: • Development of a marketing and communications strategy as part of the AGN strategy. • The design of high quality spaces including meeting and social spaces, pocket parks etc to Figure 35 Population within 2 kms of a railway or bus station provide opportunities for contact and overcoming loneliness. • The social benefi ts of community orchard and allotment associations. Whilst the local authorities must adopt a strategic role in masterplanning the development of the • Group activities and volunteering e.g. BTCV Scotland, Green Gym initiatives. path and cycleway network, there are a number of special interest groups who would be able to • Training and learning outdoors e.g. twinning schools with sites. support initiatives through the detailed local knowledge of their members, and are able to promote • Contact with nature – Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Local Wildlife Groups. usage through their websites and other publicity material. Similarly, joint working with rail and public transport operators to promote specifi c routes and access arrangements could lead to signifi cant increases in levels of usage which, in turn, can increase the demand for improvement schemes. Opportunities do occur as part of new developments, land reclamation and regeneration projects, as well as road improvements to the major road network, for control to be exercised through the planning system.

It is important that further consultation is undertaken as part of the development of the AGN Strategy, including British Horse Society, Scottish CTC, Sustrans, Ramblers Scotland and Rail Ramblers.

The AGN Strategy should consider developing and building on a number of initiatives in Ayrshire: • Continued development of the National Cycleway Network (Sustrans) and their potential projects: Promenade at Saltcoats – NCN 73, path becoming unusable. Potential extension of NCN 75 which currently links Ardrossen to West Kilbride to extend northwards to Gourock; this would fi ll in a gap originally identifi ed in 1995, feasibility/planning scheduled for 2012. Feasibility study for North Ayrshire Council, road link between Kilwinning and Kilbirnie, would like to consider traffi c free route. Associated with the River Garnock. • Carrick Way • Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail • South Ayrshire/Cycling Scotland Renewable Energy Project Figure 36 Health Deprivation • Active Travel Scotland. PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 48 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

Potential projects (refer to Appendix A) could include: 5.6 Short and Long Term Management

• Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project Meeting CSGN’s Goal 1 is a signifi cant challenge to ensure that every home is within 300m • Green or Sustainable Living Project of an attractive, safe, well-maintained green space or accessible countryside. Attractive • Urban Forestry environments can be achieved by strong vision and ambition, proper community engagement, • Green Commuting Project good quality design, selection of robust materials, good quality plant material etc. Safety can be • Wilderness camping. achieved in part by adopting secure by design principles and engagement with the community and police architectural liaison offi cer. However ensuring safe and well maintained green spaces 5.5.10 Goal 9 To foster community pride and ownership in the CSGN and to use the is a signifi cant challenge in the current climate of reductions in revenue funding. green network as a community resource, providing opportunities for education, volunteering, training, skills development and employment in land-based and low- In the same way that maximising existing green space resources is recommended elsewhere in carbon industries. this study, it should be an aim of the AGN to ensure the best use of existing management and maintenance budgets to achieve CSGN objectives. Goal 9 links very closely with Goal 8, the need for a holistic approach to the AGN Strategy, the structure of the AGN Partnership and management role out of the objectives. Consideration shall The CSGN is a long term planning objective and signifi cant resources will be required to ensure be given to: well maintained green space. Revenue funding of green spaces is often one of the fi rst target areas for budget savings for Local Authorities. However the objective of the AGN must be to • Creation of an Ayrshire Environment Network, bringing together all organisations and groups break the cycle of Capital Funding – Action – Decline. Management and maintenance of green with an interest in the environment. spaces therefore needs to be proactive and creative and may include: • Education, training and volunteering and links to existing initiatives e.g. East Ayrshire Woodlands. • Identifying project champions with political infl uence. • Linking to national funding opportunities for education and training. • Maximising contract periods during establishment phases e.g. including 5 years maintenance • Ensuring that the AGN is high profi le, including identifying champions in the private and public in the implementation contract. sectors. • Ensuring provision of 10 year management plans for new development. • Working with communities to support existing initiatives, create new projects and to celebrate • Ensuring sustainable design principles are embraced by new developments. success. • Learning the lessons from private land management e.g. Green Belt Group, • Consult with all stakeholders during development of the strategy. • Review effectiveness of various charging mechanisms e.g. commuted sums or service charge • Maximising Ayrshire’s USP as a holiday destination and green network potential of all routes to type initiative as part of new private developments to ensure Green Network objectives are Arran, e.g. Arran Geopark, Heritage Link and Lay-by Projects (refer to Appendix A), met. • Maximising the green network potential for the visitor economy. • Produce Green Network targets as requirements for all new developments. • Establishing close links with shooting and conservation bodies. • Embrace Green Flag / Green Pennant objectives. • Where possible utilise Park Managers and Rangers – HLF Parks for People funded schemes 5.5.11 Goal 10 To help mitigate climate change through land management practices which help will fund these posts for up to 5 years; HLF will also fund development grants to create to capture, store and retain carbon, such as woodland expansion and the protection Conservation Management Plans and 10 Year Management and Maintenance Plans. of peatland, and through the promotion of active travel. • Embrace and engage with the voluntary sector to help to contribute to looking after their spaces e.g. BTCV, Friend’s Groups etc. The AGN Strategy provides has a signifi cant opportunity to help combat climate change through • Review funding mechanisms for exemplar projects including Land Trust, Woodland Trust, good land management practice and fl ood risk management (refer to section 5.7 below). Relevant Independent Park Trusts etc. potential projects (refer to Appendix A) could include: • Review existing maintenance regimes and budgets, are they appropriate to meet AGN objectives, is it necessary to mow all green space or can grassland be better managed to • Green Network Carbon Offset Project improve biodiversity, could this space be better used as a community garden etc? • Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative • Work closely with local authority green space management and maintenance staff, ensure that • Green or Sustainable Living Project they are part of the AGN process. • Urban Forestry • Green Community Project

PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 49 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

5.7 Impact of Climate Change • Food production - providing environmentally sustainable food production that delivers food security. The climate is changing in the West of Scotland. Models suggest that by the • Reducing the need to travel by car - providing local recreation areas and 2050s: green travel routes to encourage walking and cycling.

• Winters will be slightly warmer and probably wetter, with the mean daily The adaptation services of green infrastructure include: winter temperature up by about 1°C, compared to the baseline period of 1961-1990, and precipitation in the winter months of December-February • Managing high temperatures - particularly in urban areas, where up by about 20%. evaporative cooling and shading provided by green infrastructure can • No signifi cant rise is anticipated in the ferocity or frequency of winter ensure that towns and cities continue to be attractive and comfortable storms, although the frequency of very wet days may increase in the places to live, work, visit and invest. period October-February from 4-5 on average at the moment to 7-10 days • Managing water resources - green infrastructure can provide places to by the 2050s. store water for re-use, allows water to infi ltrate into the ground sustaining • The average annual number of days between December and February aquifers and river fl ows, and can catch sediment and remove pollutants from on which the temperature falls below 0°C is expected to decrease from the water, thereby ensuring that water supply and quality is maintained. around 9-10 to around 5 by the 2050s. • Managing riverine fl ooding - green infrastructure can provide water • Summers will be warmer and drier, with the mean daily summer storage and retention areas, reducing and slowing down peak fl ows, and temperatures up 2°C between now and the 2050s and precipitation in the thereby helping to alleviate river fl ooding. period June-August down by 20% on average. • Managing coastal fl ooding - green infrastructure can provide water • Despite the trend towards warmer summers, the incidence of very high storage and retention areas, reducing and slowing tidal surges, and temperatures (above 25°C) in the months June-August is not expected to thereby helping to alleviate coastal fl ooding. increase signifi cantly. • Managing surface water - green infrastructure can help to manage • There is no evidence that the drier weather will be associated with an surface water and sewer fl ooding by reducing the rate and volume of increased incidence of heavy downpours. water runoff; it intercepts water, allows it to infi ltrate into the ground, and provides permanent or temporary storage areas. Source: The potential impact of climate change on South Ayrshire up to 2050 • Reducing soil erosion - using vegetation to stabilise soils that many be (South Ayrshire Council, 2010) vulnerable to increasing erosion. • Helping other species to adapt - providing a more vegetated and Such changes in climate will bring a range of impacts. These include increased permeable landscape through which species can move northwards to risks for people, and especially urban populations, of heat stress in summer new ‘climate spaces’. and increased risk from river, surface water and coastal fl ooding. Climate • Managing visitor pressure - providing a recreation and visitor resource for change is now considered to be one of the greatest threats to our social well a more outdoors lifestyle, and helping to divert pressure from landscapes being and economic future. which are sensitive to climate change.

Green infrastructure has a signifi cant role to play in helping to combat climate Green infrastructure projects that could make a contribution towards change. It provides a range of services that can make both a substantial combating climate change include: contribution towards adapting to climate change and a limited yet important contribution towards mitigating climate change. Such natural interventions • Urban forestry initiatives – Initiatives to increase the urban tree canopy will are increasingly being recognised as a desirable ‘win-win’ approach to help to manage high temperatures and capture rainwater, thereby helping combating climate change, as they also help to deliver multiple other social, to reduce urban surface water fl ooding. economic and environmental benefi ts. • Making space for water – River catchment initiatives to re-naturalise rivers, connect them to their fl oodplains, increase upstream water storage, and The mitigation services provided by green infrastructure include: slow down the passage of water downstream. Such linear corridors could also be linked to provide recreation routes for people and to facilitate • Carbon storage and sequestration - storing carbon in soils and vegetation; species movement. the mires and moors of Ayrshire are a signifi cant carbon store which should • Coastal habitats – Focusing on the creation and management of coastal be protected, and existing and new woodlands offer signifi cant potential habitats to provide a natural fl ood defence, a connected network to help for carbon storage and sequestration. wildlife to adapt to climate change, and to act as a resource for a potential • Providing low carbon fuels - replacing fossil fuels with lower carbon increase in recreation and tourism with warmer and drier summers. alternatives, including bioenergy, wind and hydro. • Material substitution - replacing materials such as concrete and steel (which involve high fossil fuel consumption in their production) with sustainably managed wood and other natural materials. PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 50 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 5.0 Principal Force of Change

5.8 Impact on Development and Planning Policy

There are two principal ways in which the Ayrshire Green Network will inﬂ uence planning and development outcomes, a third related area is identiﬁ ed.

1. In terms of planning policy, by ensuring the incorporation of green network objectives in the three Local Development plans being produced by the Ayrshire Districts. These Local Development plans will then address a requirement in NFP2 to strengthen the role of Ayrshire as the country’s western gateway. This will be achieved by:

a. ensuring that within each Local Development plan there is a policy provision on the Ayrshire Green Network, and b. focusing upon the coincidence of the green network with strategic investment corridors. In respect of the latter this can facilitate advance greening and so improve urban and peri-urban environments to facilitate delivery of broader economic and regeneration objectives. Most of Ayrshire’s urban settlements exist along investment corridors; these could form part of a subject plan, or action plan which could then form part of wider Green Network supplementary planning guidance.

2. The second means of embedding green networks into planning is via the development management system. This can be achieved through the use of planning conditions and, where possible, by means of Section 75 Agreements. However it should be noted that demands upon this planning tool from a plethora of different objectives mean that greenspace may not feature highest upon the list of priorities, that is unless Local Development Plans include appropriate supplementary guidance. The purpose of supplementary planning guidance would be to facilitate an appropriate proportion of developer contributions for the Green Network in each of the Ayrshire Districts. In terms of reinforcing the message of national planning and development policy, it would be appropriate to hold a Green Network workshop(s) for planning and related professionals in Ayrshire to emphasise the importance of green networks in planning policy and development management.

Another mechanism for ensuring delivery of green networks is through the Forestry Commission’s ‘Woodlands in and Around Towns’ strategy to promote creation, connectivity and good management of woodlands for multiple beneﬁ ts. Whilst not linked with planning per se, new planting sites in urban fringe locations may have development potential and will fall in to the planning system at a future date. Advance landscaping through tree planting can contribute towards the creation of ‘green development frameworks’ as well as meeting visual, leisure and biodiversity objectives. At present, SRDP grants are available to deliver such aspirations, which can perform an important role in the delivery of new green-space in developable areas.

PRINCIPAL FORCE OF CHANGE 5.0 51 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

6.1 Introduction • Realising the potential of urban woodlands – Ayrshire has considerable woodlands and forestry associated with its upland areas. The CSGN Vision of a 50% increase of woodland seems impractical in Ayrshire given that uplands may be more benefi cial as mires/peatlands, The Ayrshire Green Network study has involved complex GIS mapping and in particular providing carbon sinks to counter global warming. The establishment of woodlands on vacant identifi cation of the areas where there is the greatest need for functions that contribute to a green and derelict land, urban and urban fringe land will provide the most benefi t to green networks network (i.e. needs not fulfi lled). The analysis process has also involved identifi cation of broad in Ayrshire. areas and initiatives that would directly contribute to the Goals of the CSGN. • Recognising the opportunities, contribution and challenges of blue networks to the Ayrshire This chapter provides initial ideas for a Vision for the AGN, a summary of the analysis process of Green Network, notably diffuse pollution and the importance of coastal environments. the study (i.e. linking the needs not fulfi lled to location and CSGN Goals) and Action Plans for the Core Investment Area and Investment Corridors. The Action Plans are accompanied by Typology • Creating an environment for inward investment in Business through the identifi cation and Needs Not Fulfi lled Mapping for each area. and establishment of advanced greening of possible investment sites and establishment of a programme of temporary greening (to include bioremediation, energy forestry and structure 6.2 Vision for the Ayrshire Green Network planting as well as greening of routes).

The overall vision for the Ayrshire’s Green Network is to ‘identify, establish and maintain • Identifying and establishing a network of active travel routes with including urban links aspirational, competitive and sustainable places that contribute to the objectives of the within 2kms of all transport interchanges and county wide linking to the wider National Cycleway Central Scotland Green Network’ Network links.

The overall vision could be supported by a number of specifi c aims which closely link to those of • Health and Well-being – creation and promotion of green infrastructure to positively contribute the CSGN but are specifi c to Ayrshire: to the health and well-being of Ayrshire’s community and to engage and involve the community to promote the benefi ts of the green network. • Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s existing assets that contribute to green networks and making these assets work harder. Our GIS analysis has identifi ed that almost the entire • Utilising areas of Vacant and Derelict Land – enhancing or greening areas of vacant and area of Ayrshire provides at least 2 functions that contribute to green networks. Rather than, derelict land that is not currently earmarked for future development. say, acquire more and more green space or new land it would seem benefi cial to improve and safeguard existing land assets to try and maximise, where possible, contributions to biodiversity • Recognition of success of Strategy – ensure that all the successful outcomes of the and community benefi ts. implementation of the Green Network Strategy are positively reported for Ayrshire in order for the area to satisfy local, regional, national and international targets. • Recognising the importance of the agri-environment business to Ayrshire and in particular the need to simplify and unlock the funding mechanisms and considerable potential 6.3 Link Between GIS Needs not Fulfi lled, CSGN and AGN Actions that the current SRDP fund offers. It is clear that the agricultural arc surrounding Ayr and Irvine Refer to Table overleaf. contributes least to the green network and therefore offers great potential to meet the Scottish Government’s priority objectives for rural development for catchment sensitive farming and improvements to landscape and biodiversity. 6.4 Action Plans Refer to:

• Recognising the importance of the visitor economy to Ayrshire and its strong link to the Figure 37 – Action Plan 1 Core Area natural environment, including marketing and product development of initiatives that contribute Figure 38 – Action Plan 2 North Coast Investment Area to and enhance the green network e.g. Arran Geopark, improving transport corridors, visitor Figure 39 – Action Plan 3 Garnock Valley stop off and arrival points, interpretation and visitor facilities, active travel routes etc. The Figure 40 – Action Plan 4 Glasgow Link visitor economy includes catering for day trips and longer holidays. Figure 41 – Action Plan 5 Irvine Valley Figure 42 – Action Plan 6 A70/A76 Investment Corridor • Improving land management practices and by implication water courses, diffuse pollution Figure 43 – Action Plan 7 Doon Valley Investment Corridor and coastal environments. Figure 44 – Action Plan 8 Carrick Coast Investment Corridor

• Embracing the Integrated Habitat Network objectives including improving biodiversity, The inclusion of an environmental project in Scotland’s National Planning Framework is of major habitats and habitat management, linkages, networks and wider benefi ts of education, training signifi cance, not least in terms of how the long term objectives can be funded. The CSGN is a and volunteering. bridge between policy makers at national and local levels and projects. While the CSGN provides a Development Fund administered by the Forestry Commission Scotland the step change required • Embracing new lifestyle choices – promoting Ayrshire as the place to live for a healthier, to meet the wide aims of the CSGN will need funding from all sectors if it is to be successful. greener and more sustainable life. Potential funding sources are summarised in Appendix C. • Turning poor assets into good assets – maximising the potential of urban green space. Realising underused green space for community benefi t (e.g. allotments, community orchard ACTION PLANS 6.0 52 and gardens) and improving biodiversity. AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

Link between GIS Needs not Fulﬁ lled, CSGN and AGN Actions

The following table summarises the analysis process and identifi es the link between the GIS mapping and identifi cation of the Needs not Fulfi llled, CSGN Goals, geographic location and recommended actions for the Ayrshire Green Network.

Functions Location of Need AGN Actions CSGN Goals Aesthetic Transport Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s Goal 1 Attractive corridors existing assets that contribute to green well-maintained Needs not Fulfi lled networks and making these ‘work harder’. green space Urban Areas or accessible Accessible Water Northern and Manage riverine fl ooding – slow fl ows Goal 2 Investing Better use of existing green space including countryside Storage eastern upland through surface roughness. Reintroduce in green and blue community spaces, parks, school and areas, lowland meandering and promote river restoration space hospital grounds etc Goal 2 Investing agricultural arc projects in green and blue Ensuring high quality, management and space Provision of water storage and retention maintenance of existing green space to areas and provide more places for store meet Green Flag standards Goal 3 storm water e.g. urban fl ooding areas (refer High quality to River Quaggie in London for example) Ensuring planning system embraces the environment for ethos of Green Networks and that full use business Reducing and slowing peak fl ows is made of Section 75 agreements to fund alleviating river fl ooding green network asset improvements and creation. Allow water infi ltration into the ground sustaining aquifers and river-fl ows Recognising the importance of green- tourism to the visitor economy of Ayrshire Intercept sediment fl ows Improving the quality and setting of visitor Remove pollutants through bioremediation facilities and reed beds Embracing new lifestyle choices – Improving agricultural land management promotion of Ayrshire as the place to live for practices notably in pastoral areas a healthier, greener and more sustainable Recognise the opportunities, contribution life. and challenges of blue networks Creating an environment for inward Maximising the green network potential of investment in business. the Rivers Irvine, Garnock, Ayr , Nith, and Identifi cation of existing poor quality Doon industrial estates and business locations Promote catchment sensitive farming as well as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of towns Assist the farming community to maximise grant potential through SRDP by providing Urban forestry initiative, advanced greening human resources to facilitate grant and creation of urban woodlands (WIAT) applications Establishment of a network of active travel Link with priorities of River Basin routes Management Initiative. Utilising areas of Vacant and derelict land

Creation and promotion of Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project

Create local Active Travel Routes

Lay-by and Heritage Links Projects

ACTION PLANS 6.0 53 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

Functions Location of Need AGN Actions CSGN Goals Corridor for Complex matrix Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s Goal 1 Attractive Wildlife throughout existing assets that contribute to green well-maintained Needs not Fulﬁ lled Ayrshire networks and making these assets work green space harder. or accessible Biofuels Eastern Upland Recognising the importance of agri- Links with countryside Production Areas environment schemes to creating the Integrated Habitat Improving land management practices Green Network in Ayrshire. Network Goal 2 Investing Proximity to Urban Embracing the Integrated Habitat Network in green and blue Areas/Demand Improving land management practices space Maximising the green network potential of Urban Fringe Turning poor assets into good assets the coast river, rail and road corridors Goal 3 through ‘green masterplanning’ High quality Turning poor assets into good assets Realising the potential of urban woodland environment for business for biofuels and as recreational destinations Realising the potential of urban woodlands, development of Urban Forestry Initiative Utilising areas of vacant and derelict land for Energy Forest. Further develop the work of East Ayrshire Woodlands Development of an urban forestry initiative Creation of an environment for inward Assist the farming community to maximise investment in Business – advanced and grant potential via SRDP temporary greening

Maximise the woodland potential Undertake catchment sensitive farming

Carbon Storage All areas Recognising that the existing mires and All goals Assist the farming community to maximise throughout moors of Ayrshire are a signifi cant carbon the grant potential via SRDP Ayrshire. store which should be protected Goal 10 to help mitigate climate Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Note upland Areas Review upland management and change Green Initiative Project currently fulfi l restoration to maximise potential to meet need and function climate change targets review restoration plans for open-cast operations and work closely with operators New urban forestry initiatives to maximise potential to realise CSGN goals. Managing the effects of climate change utilising the adaptation services of green Local initiatives such as RSPB Coalfi elds networks Environmental Initiatives, Biosphere Project

Coastal Storm Largs, West Creation and management of coastal Goal 10 to help Cultural Asset Proximity to urban Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s Goal 1 Attractive Protection Kilbride habitats to provide natural ﬂ ood defence, mitigate climate areas existing assets that contribute to green well-maintained connected network to help wildlife to adapt change networks and making these assets work green space Irvine Bay to climate change and to act as resource harder or accessible for a potential increase in recreation and Troon, Prestwick countryside tourism Recognising the importance of the visitor & Ayr economy to Ayrshire Goal 2 Investing High priority linking to Clyde Area Advisory in green and blue Group Improvement to visitor arrival points and space road corridors e.g. lay-bys initiative

Heritage-links project

Ayrshire Pilgrims Way and Carrick Way Initiatives

ACTION PLANS 6.0 54 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

Functions Location of Need AGN Actions CSGN Goals Green Travel Urban Areas Identifying and establishing a network of Goal 1 Attractive Route active travel routes well-maintained Needs not Fulﬁ lled green space Green Commuting Project - urban or accessible Evaporative Proximity to urban Managing high temperatures, green Goal 1 Attractive network links within 2 Km of all transport countryside Cooling areas infrastructure can provide evaporative well-maintained interchanges cooling and shading to ensure that towns green space Goal 2 Investing and cities continue to be attractive and or accessible Linking to wider National Cycleway Network in green and blue comfortable places to live, work, visit and countryside space invest. Explore potential of network of disused Goal 2 Investing railway lines Better use of existing green space including in green and blue more tree cover space Heritage Links Project

Urban tree strategy – street tree expansion Goal 3 Build on cycling initiatives associated with and more trees on publically owned green High quality wind energy sites – Cumnock area space (e.g. parks and public grounds) environment for business Regional and local initiatives e.g. Pilgrims Urban forestry initiative – new urban and Way, Carrick Way, Muirkirk Walk, Sustrans peri-urban woodland Goal 10 help improvements and longer term goals. mitigate climate Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project change Habitat for Wildlife Complex matrix, Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s Goal 1 Attractive all areas other existing assets that contribute to green well-maintained Ensuring high quality, management and than southern and networks and making these assets work green space maintenance of existing green space to eastern uplands harder. or accessible meet Green Flag standards countryside Improving land management practices Flow Reduction Lowland Undertake catchment sensitive farming Goal 2 Investing Goal 2 Investing through Surface agricultural arc in green and blue Embracing the Integrated Habitat Network in green and blue Roughness Assist the farming community to maximise space space the grant potential via SRDP Maximising the green network potential of the coast river, rail and road corridors Goal 3 Food Production Eastern areas Undertake catchment sensitive farming Goal 4 3-fold High quality of lowland increase of land Turning poor assets into good assets environment for Assist the farming community to maximise agricultural arc / for community business marginal farmland the grant potential via SRDP growing Realising the potential of urban woodlands, development of Urban Forestry Initiative Promote community gardens and allotments Develop the work of East Ayrshire Woodlands Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project Creation of an environment for inward Green or Sustainable Living project investment in Business – advanced and temporary greening

Undertake catchment sensitive farming

Assist the farming community to maximise the grant potential via SRDP

Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project

review restoration plans for open-cast operations and work closely with operators to maximise potential to realise CSGN goals.

Local initiatives such as RSPB Coalﬁ elds Environmental Initiatives, Biosphere Project

ACTION PLANS 6.0 55 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

Functions Location of Need AGN Actions CSGN Goals Noise Absorption Road corridors Greening road corridors and proving tree Goal 1 Attractive belts well-maintained Needs not Fulﬁ lled green space Identifying and establishing a network of or accessible Heritage Minor areas Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s Goal 1 Attractive active travel routes countryside existing assets that contribute to green well-maintained networks and making these assets work green space Maximising the potential of existing urban Goal 2 Investing harder or accessible green space including noise remediation in green and blue countryside where possible. space Recognising the importance of the visitor economy to Ayrshire Goal 2 Investing Hedgerow initiative associated with road Goal 3 in green and blue corridors, note unlikely to absorb noise but High quality Improvement to visitor arrival points and space providing screening effect. environment for road corridors e.g. lay-bys initiative business

Heritage-links project Pollutant Removal Lowland Remove pollutants Goal 2 Investing from Soil/Water agricultural arc in green and blue Ayrshire Pilgrims Way and Carrick Way Improving land management practices Initiatives space Inaccessible Water Northern Area Reducing and slowing peak fl ows Goal 2 Investing Catchment sensitive farming Storage of East Ayrshire, alleviating river fl ooding in green and blue Assisting the farming community to parts of lowland space maximise grant potential through SRDP agricultural arc Providing places to store water Allow water infi ltration into the ground Recreation - Core Area/Urban Recognising the importance of the visitor Goal 1 Attractive sustaining aquifers and river fl ows private Areas economy to Ayrshire well-maintained green space SUDS schemes for all new development Improving land management practices or accessible countryside Catch sediment Embracing new lifestyle choices Goal 2 Investing Remove pollutants Realising the potential of urban woodlands in green and blue space Improving land management practices Linking to active travel routes – Heritage Links Project, Pilgrims Trail Goal 3 Recognising the opportunities, contribution High quality For countryside areas within the Core and challenges of blue networks environment for Investment Area assisting the landowners/ business Maximising the green network potential of farming community to maximise grant the Rivers Irvine, Garnock, Ayr , Nith, and potential through SRDP Doon

Catchment sensitive farming

Assisting the farming community to maximise grant potential through SRDP

Learning Urban Areas Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project Goal 1 Attractive well-maintained Embracing existing initiatives such as East green space Ayrshire Woodlands, or accessible countryside Volunteer engagement through urban forestry initiative, parks, allotments, Goal 7 High orchards and gardens. quality routes for active travel and Linking learning to all aspects of the green recreation network Goal 8 Use of Linking active travel routes and Lay-bys green network initiative and Historic Links projects to by everyone to interpretation improve health and well being ACTION PLANS 6.0 56 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

Functions Location of Need AGN Actions CSGN Goals Shading from sun Urban Establishment of green infrastructure to Goal 1 Attractive conurbations provide evaporative cooling and shading to well-maintained Needs not Fulﬁ lled ensure that towns and cities continue to be green space attractive and comfortable places to live, or accessible Recreation - public Core Area/Urban Recognising and celebrating Ayrshire’s Goal 1 Attractive work, visit and invest. countryside Areas existing assets that contribute to green well-maintained networks and making these ‘work harder’. green space Better use of existing green space Goal 2 Investing or accessible in green and blue Better use of existing green space including countryside Urban tree strategy/WIAT space community spaces, parks, school and hospital grounds etc Goal 2 Investing Urban forestry initiative Goal 3 in green and blue High quality Ensuring high quality, management and space Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project environment for maintenance of existing green space to business meet Green Flag standards Goal 4 deliver Ensuring high quality, management and 3 fold increase maintenance of existing green space to Goal 10 Help Ensuring planning system embraces ethos in land used meet Green Flag standards mitigate climate of Green Networks for community change growing – Recognising the importance of the visitor allotments, economy to Ayrshire Soil stabilisation GIS mapping Reducing soil erosion – using vegetation Goal 1 Attractive orchards and identiﬁ ed no to stabilise soils that may be vulnerable to well-maintained gardens Improving the quality and setting of visitor ‘at risk’ soils in increasing erosion. green space facilities Ayrshire or accessible Goal 7 deliver review restoration plans for open-cast strategic network countryside Embracing new lifestyle choices – operations and work closely with operators of high quality promotion of Ayrshire as the place to live for to maximise potential to realise CSGN Goal 2 Investing routes for active a healthier, greener and more sustainable goals. in green and blue travel and life. space recreation Improving land management practices Urban forestry initiative, advanced greening Goal 3 Goal 8 ensure and creation of urban woodlands (WIAT) Catchment sensitive farming High quality that the green environment for Establishment of a network of active travel network is used Assisting the farming community to business routes by everyone to maximise grant potential through SRDP improve health Goal 10 Help Creation and promotion of Ayrshire Schools and well-being mitigate climate Green Initiative Project change Goal 9 Foster Local Active Travel Routes community pride Timber production Proximity to Maximising potential for commercial and ownership major urban forestry Lay-by and Heritage Links Projects conurbations i.e. Recreation - Core Area/Urban As above As above where there is Urban forestry initiative/WIAT public with Areas demand. ‘Call-in’ restoration plans for open-cast restrictions Some areas of the operations and work closely with operators southern uplands to maximise potential to realise CSGN goals.

Improving land management practices

ACTION PLANS 6.0 57 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 6.0 Action plans

Functions Location of Need AGN Actions CSGN Goals Water Infi ltration Most of East As above Goal 2 Investing Ayrshire and in green and blue Needs not Fulfi lled Lowland Better use of green space/making spaces space agricultural arc ‘work harder i.e. maximising contribution of Trapping Air Associated Make existing assets work harder – i.e. Goal 1 Attractive urban green spaces for water infi ltration Pollutants with major road maximise potential of green spaces well-maintained corridors adjacent to highways – urban areas and green space Provision of water storage and retention road corridors. or accessible areas and provide more places for store countryside storm water e.g. urban fl ooding areas (refer Identify and establish network of active to River Quaggie in London for example) travel routes Goal 2 Investing in green and blue Water Interception Most of East Catchment sensitive farming Goal 2 Investing Creation and promotion of green network to space Ayrshire and in green and blue positively contribute to the health and well- Lowland Assisting the farming community to space being of Ayrshire’s community. agricultural arc maximise grant potential through SRDP Goal 3 Utilising areas of vacant and derelict land Provision of water storage and retention High quality adjacent to road networks areas and provide more places for store environment for storm water e.g. urban fl ooding areas (refer business Lay-bys enhancement project to River Quaggie in London for example)

Water Conveyance Lowland arc Provision of water storage and retention Goal 2 Investing Wind Shelter Higher ground Maximising potential for appropriate Goal 1 Attractive surrounding core areas in green and blue along coast, forestry – NB would not wish to encourage well-maintained towns space southern uplands commercial forestry within the Regional green space Reducing and slowing peak fl ows and Clyde Park or areas of deep peat. or accessible alleviating river fl ooding Muirshiel Regional countryside Park. Urban forestry initiative/WIAT Providing places to store water Goal 2 Investing . – NB coalfi elds not located in these areas. in green and blue Allow water infi ltration into the ground space sustaining aquifers and river fl ows Improving land management practices Goal 3 Catch sediment High quality Remove pollutants environment for business Improving land management practices

Recognising the opportunities, contribution and challenges of blue networks

Maximising the green network potential of the Rivers Irvine, Garnock, Ayr , Nith, and Doon

Catchment sensitive farming

Assisting the farming community to maximise grant potential through SRDP

Linking with priorities of River basin Management Initiative.

ACTION PLANS 6.0 58 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. Ardrossan Stevenston Core Investment Area

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 Kilmarnock INVESTMENT AREA Saltcoats TOWNS The Core Investment Area is an area of coastal towns including Ardrossan,

M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. Saltcoats, Stevenston, Kilwinning, Irvine, Troon, Prestwick and Ayr A70 / A76 CORRIDORS together with Kilmarnock. Kilmarnock is a distinctly separated from the DOON CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) coast by gently rolling farmland. Rail and road (A 71 and A77) corridors Irvine and the River Irvine link Kilmarnock to the coast. The National Cycleway Network route 73 also links Kilmarnock to Irvine.

The landscape of the Core Area is characterised by an extensive semi- circular lowland area which is focused on the town of Ayr. It has a distinct Location land use and settlement pattern which sees heavily populated areas with a dense network of settlements and roads, sitting next to more rural areas Area % where the main land use is dairy farming. The area is cut by a series of 48.85 Troon narrow river valleys with the farmland contained in a surviving framework 0.01 of hedges and hedgerow trees. 0.20 3.01 0.19 3.40 Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: 10.74 Prestwick 3.48 0.01 • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving 3.95 biodiversity, making existing green space ‘work harder’. 1.66 6.98 • Maximise the green network potential of the coast, Rivers Irvine and 0.24 Ayr Garnock, rail and road corridors. 0.83 0.22 • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green 3.92 space to meet Green Flag benchmark standards. • Undertaking survey of existing stock of urban trees, creation of an Typology urban-tree strategy to ensure renewal, reinvigoration, replacement andmanagement. • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new trees in public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting Needs not Fulfi lled % Area new peri-urban woodlands around settlements in accordance with the Accessible Water Storage 79.65 Aesthetic 1.06 FCS WIAT initiative. Biofuels Production 85.95 • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green Carbon Storage 89.97 networks. Coastal Storm Protection 5.23 Corridor for Wildlife 1.81 • Build on the green network initiatives of Irvine Bay Regeneration Cultural Asset 17.32 Company. Evaporative Cooling 3.63 Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 46.25 • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community Food Production 14.77 to maximise the grant potential via SRDP. Green Travel Route 14.08 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations Habitat for Wildlife 4.90 Heritage 7.30 as well as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns to Inaccessible Water Storage 45.50 create high quality environments with advanced greening and urban Learning 18.14 woodlands. Noise Absorption 1.78 Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 42.95 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and Recreation - private 86.55 volunteer engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Recreation - public 79.54 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Recreation - public with restrictions 91.53 Shading from sun 29.45 • Create local active travel routes through a Green Commuting Project to Soil stabilisation 0 provide green links for all within 2km of a railway or bus station. Explore Timber production 59.85 potential of the disused railway between Kilmarnock and Kilwinning. Trapping Air Pollutants 3.91 Water Conveyance 58.95 • Coastal environment high priority linking to Clyde Area Advisory Group, Needs not fulfi lled Water Infi ltration 47.49 River Basin Management Initiative etc. Water Interception 53.13 Wind Shelter 0.61 ACTION PLAN 1 59 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. North Coast Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS

M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. The North Coast Investment Corridor includes the coastal holiday towns of A70 / A76 CORRIDORS Largs, Fairlie and West Kilbride juxtaposed with large scale heavy industry DOON CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) set amongst dramatic coastal scenery and ﬁ ne views to the islands of Great Cumbrae, Little Cumbrae and Arran. The corridor is constrained by a narrow road (A78) and rail corridor with hills to the east and sea to the west.

Largs Seascape plays an important part of the north coast investment corridor Location with dramatic views across the Inner Firth of Clyde which is characterised by semi-sheltered waters, steeply rising shorelines often backed by wooded slopes. Area % 29.02 - 0.08 4.68 Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: 0.05 1.33 Fairlie • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving 49.63 biodiversity, making existing green space ‘work harder’. 0.36 - • Improve the quality and setting of visitor facilities e.g. car parks and 1.36 0.21 picnic areas along the coast. 2.72 • Maximise the green network potential of the coast, rail and road 0.68 0.24 corridors. 0.08 • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green 4.99 space to meet Green Flag benchmark standards. • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green networks. • Assist the farming community to maximise the grant potential via SRDP Needs not Fulfi lled % Area and maximise the woodland potential of the wooded hinterland. Accessible Water Storage 68.92 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations Aesthetic 0.35 as well as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns to Biofuels Production 93.31 create high quality environments with advanced greening and urban West Kilbride Carbon Storage 51.37 Coastal Storm Protection 3.18 woodlands. Corridor for Wildlife 2.45 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and Typology Cultural Asset 5.74 volunteer engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens e.g. Evaporative Cooling 1.06 Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 6.80 Organic Growers of Fairlie. Food Production 5.81 • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new Green Travel Route 3.17 trees in public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting Habitat for Wildlife 20.59 new peri-urban woodlands around settlements in accordance with the Heritage 6.76 Inaccessible Water Storage 9.49 FCS WIAT initiative. Learning 5.92 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Noise Absorption 0.57 Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 19.47 • Create local active travel routes through a Green Commuting Project to Recreation - private 4.40 provide green links for all within 2km of a railway or bus station. Build Recreation – public 5.54 Recreation - public with restrictions 6.12 on the green potential of National Cycleway Network, route 75 and Shading from sun 6.88 embrace Sustrans ambitions to extend to Gourock. Soil stabilisation 0 • Coastal environment high priority linking to Clyde Area Advisory Group, Timber production 61.85 Trapping Air Pollutants 1.44 River Basin Management Initiative etc. Water Conveyance 25.75 Water Infi ltration 9.59 Needs not fulfi lled Water Interception 28.41 Wind Shelter 20.39 ACTION PLAN 2 60 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. Garnock Valley Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS The Garnock Valley Investment Corridor associates with the gentle valley of M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. A70 / A76 CORRIDORS the River Garnock with Kilbirnie Loch to the north and the town of Kilwinning to

DOON the south. Other towns in the corridor include Dalry, Beith and the former coal CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 Kilbirnie A77 (SOUTH) mining and steel working town of Glengarnock/Kilbirnie. The corridor contains rail and road (A737) links to Glasgow as well National Cycleway Network route Beith 7. The area is characterised by former heavy industrial as well as former market towns set amongst rural gently rolling farmland. The large scale whisky bonded warehouses form a distinct feature of the open countryside linked by numerous small lanes. Location The landscape is in part associated with the more rural part of the Ayrshire Basin with a gently rolling landform, broken by a network of hedges and fi eld boundaries and “Broad Valley Lowland” which is characterised as a broad, shallow, level valley fl oor that has naturally fl ooded to form Kilbirnie Loch. There is a dense Area % network of woodlands, shelterbelts and hedges with occasional long views to the 64.86 - North Ayrshire Hills. 0.14 The GIS mapping has identifi ed that considerable areas of the investment area - do not fulfi l the needs of the green network indicating the potential and need to 0.04 1.97 prioritise this area. 10.82 1.36 - Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: 0.86 0.72 3.75 • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving biodiversity, 0.10 making existing green space ‘work harder’. 1.53 0.34 • Maximise the green network potential of the Rivers Garnock, rail and road 6.58 corridors. • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green space Dalry to meet Green Flag benchmark standards e.g. Kilbirnie. Needs not Fulfi lled % Area • Undertaking survey of existing stock of urban trees, creation of tree strategy Typology Accessible Water Storage 91.03 to ensure renewal, reinvigoration, replacement and management. Aesthetic 0.40 Biofuels Production 64.15 • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green Carbon Storage 87.21 networks. Coastal Storm Protection 0 Corridor for Wildlife 4.20 • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community to Cultural Asset 9.20 maximise the grant potential via SRDP. Evaporative Cooling 1.08 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations as well Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 70.32 as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns to create high quality Food Production 6.96 Green Travel Route 5.32 environments with advanced greening and urban woodlands. Habitat for Wildlife 14.60 • Explore the potential for a greening initiative associated with the Bonded Heritage 4.92 Warehouses and Whisky Industry. Inaccessible Water Storage 75.01 Learning 9.56 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and volunteer Noise Absorption 0.63 engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 22.28 Recreation - private 59.85 • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new trees in Recreation - public 57.71 public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting new peri-urban Recreation - public with restrictions 64.67 woodlands around settlements in accordance with the FCS WIAT initiative. Shading from sun 18.80 Soil stabilisation 0 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Timber production 18.23 • Create local active travel routes through a Green Commuting Project to Trapping Air Pollutants 1.19 provide green links for all within 2km of a railway or bus station. Explore Water Conveyance 36.61 potential of the disused railways to north of Kilwinning. Needs not fulfi lled Water Infi ltration 80.28 Water Interception 80.10 Wind Shelter 0 ACTION PLAN 3 61 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. Glasgow Link Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS The Glasgow Link Investment Corridor tends to be an economic designation M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. A70 / A76 CORRIDORS rather than a natural geographic corridor. The corridor associates with the

DOON road (A736) and rail corridor linking Kilmarnock to Glasgow. The corridor CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) includes the villages/small towns of Stewarton and Dunlop and in the south east of the area Fenwick which is also associated with the A77/M77.

The Glasgow link investment corridor is typical of the extensive semi- circular lowland area characterised by a distinct land use and settlement pattern with tight urban areas sitting next to open more rural areas. The Location landscape is extensively agricultural in nature. It is a complex landscape which is dissected by many burns and streams which give an undulating lowland landscape that is predominantly pastoral, although there are some areas of arable farming on the lower level areas with better soils. The area Area % has a strong network of 18th / 19th century fi eld boundaries which are 29.4 - formed by well conditioned hedgerows with mature hedgerow trees. 0.07 - 0.06 Stewarton 1.53 Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: 58.11 0.46 • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving 0.01 0.14 biodiversity, making existing green space ‘work harder’. 0.09 • Maximise the green network potential of the network of small burns, rail 1.53 0.15 and road corridors. 0.41 • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green 0.29 3.90 space to meet Green Flag benchmark standards. Typology • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green networks. • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community Needs not Fulfi lled % Area to maximise the grant potential via SRDP. Accessible Water Storage 74.93 • Identify low value farmland and potential for woodlands and biofuels, Aesthetic 0.36 Biofuels Production 81.19 • Embrace the IHN with regard to improving biodiversity on farmland. Carbon Storage 76.28 Coastal Storm Protection 0 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations Corridor for Wildlife 2.33 as well as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns and the Cultural Asset 3.21 M77 to create high quality environments with advanced greening and Evaporative Cooling 0.22 urban woodlands. Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 25.64 Food Production 3.24 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and Green Travel Route 4.94 volunteer engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Habitat for Wildlife 7.74 • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new Heritage 3.10 Inaccessible Water Storage 67.11 trees in public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting Learning 3.27 new peri-urban woodlands around settlements in accordance with the Noise Absorption 0.21 FCS WIAT initiative. Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 3.53 Recreation - private 46.69 Recreation - public 38.12 Recreation - public with restrictions 48.46 Shading from sun 5.03 Soil stabilisation 0 Timber production 72.67 Trapping Air Pollutants 0.71 Needs not fulfi lled Water Conveyance 6.41 Water Infi ltration 70.63 Water Interception 61.85 Wind Shelter 0 ACTION PLAN 4 62 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 Area % AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW 27.67 KILMARNOCK RAIL. - 0.07 Irvine Valley Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN - CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS 0.03 The Irvine Valley Investment Corridor associates with valley of the River Irvine M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / 1.30 CARLISLE RAIL. A70 / A76 CORRIDORS 52.23 and the A71 road corridor which links the M74 and Lanarkshire to Kilmarnock

DOON 0.42 and Ayrshire. The Investment Corridor contains the small linear towns of CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) - Darvel, Newmilns and Galston. 0.50 0.07 1.79 The character of the landscape changes from “Upper River Valleys” in the east 0.20 to “Lowland River Valleys” in the west as it reaches Kilmarnock. The “Upland 0.49 River Valleys” are of a pronounced V-shape with steeper valleys sides and a 0.23 11.82 narrow ﬂ oodplain. The valley slopes are generally pasture, bounded by tree Location lined hedgerows with woodland associated with designed landscapes such as Loudoun Castle and Lanﬁ ne House. The “Lowland River Valleys” are generally narrow and bounded by steep slopes. The valley slopes are well wooded and the rivers run in tight meanders. Field boundaries tend to be hedges.

Darvel Louden Hill is a distinct landmark at the eastern end of the valley and gateway feature to Ayrshire.

Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: Newmilns

Galston • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving biodiversity, making existing green space ‘work harder’. • Maximise the green network potential of the Rivers Irvine and road corridors. • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green space to meet Green Flag benchmark standards. Typology • Undertaking survey of existing stock of urban trees, creation of tree strategy to ensure renewal, reinvigoration, replacement and management. Needs not Fulfi lled % Area • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green networks. Accessible Water Storage 94.54 Aesthetic 0.18 • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community to Biofuels Production 87.69 maximise the grant potential via SRDP. Carbon Storage 62.72 Coastal Storm Protection 0 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations as Corridor for Wildlife 1.70 well as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns to create high Cultural Asset 4.46 quality environments with advanced greening and urban woodlands. Evaporative Cooling 0.32 Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 36.23 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and volunteer Food Production 9.23 engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Green Travel Route 6.16 Habitat for Wildlife 9.71 • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new trees Heritage 4.46 in public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting new peri- Inaccessible Water Storage 59.63 urban woodlands around settlements in accordance with the FCS WIAT Learning 4.59 initiative. Noise Absorption 0.29 Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 13.24 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Recreation - private 14.66 • Create local active travel routes through a Green Commuting Project to Recreation - public 13.47 provide green links for all within 2km of a railway or bus station. Explore Recreation - public with restrictions 15.91 Shading from sun 4.21 potential of the disused railway between Kilmarnock and Strathaven. Soil stabilisation 0 • Recognise that the corridor is popular with visitors, improving lay-bys and Needs not fulfi lled Timber production 0 stop offs including interpretation e.g. Lay-by and Heritage Links Projects. Trapping Air Pollutants 1.42 Water Conveyance 23.58 • Develop and market Louden Hill as a visitor destination. Water Infi ltration 69.12 Water Interception 79.72 Wind Shelter 4.13 ACTION PLAN 5 63 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. A70 / A76 Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS The A70 / A76 Investment Corridor is a large area associated with the uplands M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. A70 / A76 CORRIDORS to the east of the county and the river and road corridors of the A70/River Ayr

DOON and A76/River Nith (in part). Principal towns along the A70 include Muirkirk and CARRICK. VALLEY. Mauchline AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) along the A76, New Cumnock, Cumnock Auchinleck, Catrine (adjacent) and Mauchline. The investment corridor is a complex area of upland moorlands and incised river valleys becoming lowlands towards the west. Catrine The “Plateau Moorlands” is an expansive landscape characterised by an extensive ridge dividing the Ayrshire Basin from the Clyde Basin, forming a Location Auchinleck transition between the foothills and the uplands to the south. The moorlands consist of blanket bogs, heather and grass moorland with comparatively level topography with extensive plateau basins rising to soft contoured ridges. The River Nith Valley has a distinctly U-shaped nature, rising to steeply sloped hills Cumnock either side of the fl at bottomed fl ood plain, while the Upper Ayr Valley is broader and open rising to moorland plateaus. The Cumnock Investment Corridor is also characterised by the scars of industry, namely bings, embankments and open Area % cast coal mines 21.44 - 0.04 Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: - 0.04 1.07 • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving biodiversity, 63.30 Typology making existing green space ‘work harder’. 0.40 • Maximise the green network potential of the Rivers Ayr and Nith, rail and 0.02 road corridors. 0.19 0.09 • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green space 0.99 to meet Green Flag benchmark standards. 0.22 • Undertaking survey of existing stock of urban trees, creation of tree strategy 0.69 Needs not Fulfi lled % Area 0.60 to ensure renewal, reinvigoration, replacement and management. 8.28 Accessible Water Storage 90.53 • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green Aesthetic 0.14 networks. Biofuels Production 38.35 • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community to Carbon Storage 51.79 Coastal Storm Protection 0 maximise the grant potential via SRDP. Corridor for Wildlife 1.15 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations as well Cultural Asset 2.22 as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns and former heavy Evaporative Cooling 0.37 industrial sites to create high quality environments with advanced greening Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 25.74 and urban woodlands. Food Production 5.69 • ‘Call in’ restoration plans for open-cast operations and work closely with Green Travel Route 2.28 Habitat for Wildlife 4.95 operators to maximise potential to realise CSGN goals. Heritage 3.26 • Maximise potential for commercial forestry. Inaccessible Water Storage 68.02 • Review upland management and restoration to maximise potential to meet Learning 2.27 climate change targets. Noise Absorption 0.18 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and volunteer Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 8.22 engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Recreation - private 16.50 Recreation - public 14.01 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Recreation - public with restrictions 17.39 • Create local active travel routes through a Green Commuting Project to Shading from sun 2.28 provide green links for all within 2km of a railway or bus station. Explore Soil stabilisation 0 potential of the disused railway linking Cumnock to north east and south Timber production 29.71 west. Build on cycling initiatives associated with wind energy sites. Trapping Air Pollutants 0.51 • Recognise that the corridor is used by visitors, improving lay-bys and stop Water Conveyance 13.18 Water Infi ltration 75.85 offs including interpretation e.g. Lay-by and Heritage Links Projects. Water Interception 75.31 • Build on local initiatives including Dumfries House, RSPB Coalfi elds Needs not fulfi lled Wind Shelter 2.37 Environmental Initiatives and Muirkirk Walks.

ACTION PLAN 6 64 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. Doon Valley Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS

M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / Dalrymple CARLISLE RAIL. The Doon Valley Investment Corridor associates with the distinctive A70 / A76 CORRIDORS corridor of the River Doon and the A713 linking Ayr to Galloway. Principal DOON CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) towns include Dalmellington, Patna and Dalrymple. The southern part of the corridor is associated with former heavy industries and marked by derelict land, large areas of forestry and sheep farming.

The uplands are characterised by distinctive glacial valleys with U-shaped cross sections, precipitous side slopes, hanging valleys, waterfalls, crags Location Patna and scree. The land cover in this area is predominantly forestry extending over the summits or concentrated on the side slopes leaving the domed peaks exposed.

Area % 21.55 Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: - 0.01 - • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving 0.01 biodiversity, making existing green space ‘work harder’. 1.10 Dalmellington 41.66 • Maximise the green network potential of the River Doon, rail and road 0.37 corridor. - 0.13 • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green 0.40 networks. 0.58 0.51 Typology • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community 0.68 0.37 to maximise the grant potential via SRDP. 30.64 • Identify existing poor quality industrial estates and business locations as well as vacant and derelict land in the vicinity of the towns to create high quality environments with advanced greening and urban woodlands. Needs not Fulfi lled % Area Accessible Water Storage 85.27 • Explore potential of large areas of derelict/disused land for sustainable Aesthetic 0.10 living. Biofuels Production 1.34 Carbon Storage 40.29 • Maximise potential for commercial forestry. Coastal Storm Protection 0 • Review upland management and restoration to maximise potential to Corridor for Wildlife 1.95 meet climate change targets. Cultural Asset 1.47 Evaporative Cooling 0.23 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 24.36 volunteer engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Food Production 2.30 Green Travel Route 1.64 • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new Habitat for Wildlife 9.40 trees in public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting Heritage 3.70 new peri-urban woodlands around settlements in accordance with the Inaccessible Water Storage 56.62 FCS WIAT initiative. Learning 1.55 Noise Absorption 0.07 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 4.37 • Create local active travel routes through a Green Commuting Project Recreation - private 17.08 Recreation - public 14.16 to provide green links for all within 2km of a railway or bus station. Recreation - public with restrictions 19.37 Explore potential of the disused railway between Dalmellington and Shading from sun 1.41 Patna and link to the Industrial Railway Centre. Soil stabilisation 0 • Promote use of the corridor by visitors, improve lay-bys and stop offs Timber production 0 Trapping Air Pollutants 0.29 including interpretation e.g. Lay-by and Heritage Links Projects. Water Conveyance 8.00 • Link to local initiatives e.g. Scottish Dark Sky Park Observatory. Water Infi ltration 77.98 Needs not fulfi lled Water Interception 66.16 Wind Shelter 5.43 ACTION PLAN 7 65 GARNOCK VALLEY. NORTH COAST. AYR / IRVINE. KILWINNING AND GLASGOW RAIL. ARDROSSAN RAIL. A737 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK A78 / FERRY GLASGOW LINK. A77/ M77. GLASGOW KILMARNOCK RAIL. Carrick Investment Corridor

IRVINE VALLEY ARRAN CORE A71 INVESTMENT AREA TOWNS

M74 LINK. KILMARNOCK- DUMFRIES / CARLISLE RAIL. The Carrick Investment Corridor is located on the coast to the south of Ayr. A70 / A76 CORRIDORS The area includes Maybole, the coastal town of Girvan and the historic DOON CARRICK. VALLEY. AYRSHIRE RAIL. A713 A77 (SOUTH) landscape of Culzean Castle. The A719 generally follows the coast while the corridor includes the Carrick Hills National Cycle Network route 7 and the Rabbie Burns Birthplace Museum at Brig o’ Doon.

Maybole The landscape is characterised by a raised beach landscape punctuated by a series of coastal headlands, small coastal valleys and foothills. The Location lower slopes of the hills are pasture giving way to rough grazing on higher slopes. There is some semi natural woodland on the more sheltered slopes. The landscape is dominated by Culzean Castle and its associated Area % policies woodland and farmland. There are some broadleaved and 58.63 coniferous shelter belts and woodland in the mid and upper valleys. The - fi eld boundaries are dominated by hedges and shelterbelts. 0.06 1.77 0.03 1.46 19.56 Green Network Potential to Satisfy CSGN Goals: 0.45 - 0.80 • Better use of existing green space – for the community, improving 0.69 biodiversity, making existing green space ‘work harder’. 0.94 Girvan 0.23 • Maximise the green network potential of the coast, Rivers Doon and 0.50 road corridors. 0.17 11.49 • Ensuring high quality, management and maintenance of existing green space to meet Green Flag benchmark standards. • Ensure planning system embraces and enforces the creation of green Needs not Fulfi lled % Area networks. Typology Accessible Water Storage 74.26 Aesthetic 0.22 • Undertake catchment sensitive farming, assist the farming community Biofuels Production 24.35 to maximise the grant potential via SRDP. Carbon Storage 72.86 Coastal Storm Protection 0.55 • Embrace urban forestry principles and encourage community and Corridor for Wildlife 2.01 volunteer engagement through allotments, orchard and gardens. Cultural Asset 1.61 • Develop an urban forestry initiative focused on (a) planting of new Evaporative Cooling 0.34 Flow Reduction through Surface Roughness 18.63 trees in public grounds (i.e. local authority, NHS etc) and (b) planting Food Production 12.45 new peri-urban woodlands around settlements in accordance with the Green Travel Route 1.97 FCS WIAT initiative. Habitat for Wildlife 13.27 • Create and promote an Ayrshire Schools Green Initiative Project. Heritage 5.96 Inaccessible Water Storage 14.02 • Create local active travel routes linking with NCN 7, and the Ayrshire Learning 1.74 Pilgrims Way and Carrick Way initiatives. Noise Absorption 0.19 Pollutant Removal from Soil/Water 41.68 • Recognise that the corridor is popular with visitors, improving lay-bys Recreation - private 5.12 and stop offs including interpretation e.g. Lay-by and Heritage Links Recreation - public 5.16 Projects. Recreation - public with restrictions 5.67 Shading from sun 1.63 • Review potential links to the Biosphere Project to the south east. Soil stabilisation 0 • Coastal environment high priority linking to Clyde Area Advisory Group, Timber production 12.39 Trapping Air Pollutants 0.57 River Basin Management Initiative etc. Water Conveyance 51.48 Water Infi ltration 15.56 Water Interception 21.95 Wind Shelter 13.52 Needs not fulfi lled ACTION PLAN 8 66 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK 7.0 Recommendations

This study is very much a fi rst step towards a Strategy to establish Green Networks in Ayrshire A staff presence is needed to achieve the objectives of the CSGN in Ayrshire; however a key based on the vision and objectives of the Central Scotland Green Network. The Vision is far sighted consideration is that this should be sustainable in the longer term; in particular a three-year and is a designated National Development under the Scottish Government’s National Planning term appointment with little realistic chance of renewal should be avoided. Experience shows Framework. The CSGN is intended to make a signifi cant contribution to Scotland’s sustainable that good-quality-staff leave short term posts before the real benefi ts of an appointment can economic development. CSGN Vision for Central Scotland is: accumulate. There are varying staffi ng options presented in the technical supplement; also presented are budget costs, inevitably these vary according to the options chosen and range ‘By 2050, Central Scotland has been transformed into a place where the environment adds value to from circa £40,000 to nearly £300,000 per annum depending on the options chosen. the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality’. 7.2 Delivery and Timescale With its low population and wonderful natural environment Ayrshire provides an exciting opportunity to improve, establish, look after and strengthen a green network contributing to the 3 District’s A number of steps are required to apply the Vision of the CSGN to Ayrshire: economic sustainability, well-being of its community and meeting national objectives. • Development of a Green Network Strategy for Ayrshire. This study has largely been based on analysis of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data for • Development of a realistic and achievable delivery timetable for both the strategy and Ayrshire which demonstrates that already most of Ayrshire is covered by at least two functions that implementation, not forgetting the long term nature of the CSGN Vision. contribute to a Green Network. The challenge in the current economic climate is to ensure that the • Establishment of an Ayrshire Green Network Delivery Partnership as outlined above. Ayrshire green network is seen as a long term national framework to improve those functions and to • Establishment of an Ayrshire Green Environmental ‘Network’, drawing together all the make existing green networks ‘work harder’. organisations with an interest in the environment. • Immediate discussions with the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage 7.1 Governance, Partnership and Management regarding funding and establishment of an Ayrshire Green Network Partnership. • Review of CSGN development funding to establish the parameters for further strategic A technical supplement providing Governance and Management Advice has been produced to reviews and project development. accompany the Ayrshire Green Network Study. The principle challenge in terms of Governance, • Detailed stakeholder and community consultation as part of the development of the Strategy Partnership and Management is how can structures be created and maintained which can deliver for a Green Network for Ayrshire. signifi cant change at the landscape scale, cost effectively over an extended period of time? The • Liaison with and learning from established CSGN organisations – Glasgow and Clyde answer to that question can be found by learning from other experiences and adapting them to the Valley GNP and Lothians and Fife Green Network. local situation. • Establishment of a strategic vision for a Green Network but building on existing initiatives e.g. East Ayrshire Woodlands, Ayrshire Pilgrims’ Trail, Irvine Development Company’s The fi rst requirement is to prepare an Ayrshire Green Network Strategy Plan which should aim to Green Network and SEPA initiatives to maximise green network potential and enable maximise the social, economic and environmental benefi ts and secure this element of the Central delivery of demonstration projects. Scotland Green Network in the long term. It is envisaged that the Ayrshire Green Network Strategy • Recognition of the importance of targeted funding and projects to meet specifi c aims e.g. Plan would turn the Ayrshire Green Network into a set of ‘policies and proposals’ and defi ne the SRDP funding to improve the Green Network potential of the Ayrshire lowland farming operational topics to be delivered through an Action Plan. This Ayrshire Green Network Study arc. provides much of the essential information required for the Ayrshire Green Network Strategy Plan. • Work closely with the SRDP to maximise available grants and unlock the seeming complexity of the application process. After completion of the Ayrshire Green Network Strategy Plan an Ayrshire Green Network Action • Detailed examination of the new fast track SRDP grant opportunities. Plan should be produced. The Ayrshire Green Network Action Plan would turn the Ayrshire Green • Detailed analysis of the GIS data for the Core Area and Investment Corridors but also Network Strategy Plan into a series of deliverable actions. This is required to ensure that the recognition of the contribution of the whole of Ayrshire to the Green Network. Ayrshire Green Network Strategy Plan is divided into achievable and manageable components, • Recognition of the importance of Green Network Champions in Ayrshire in both Private and most of which will be cost and time limited projects. The Ayrshire Green Network Action Plan is also Public sectors including the landowning and farming community. the basis for essential progress monitoring and evaluation and a valuable tool is ongoing publicity. • Detailed workshops with the District Councils to engage Members and Offi cers in the establishment of the Green Network and development of targeted projects.. Planning and delivery of the Ayrshire Green Network requires a facilitating and enabling structure. • Recognition of the contribution and potential of Ayrshire’s coast linking to Green and Blue The core elements of this are seen as a staff presence and a partnership of bodies working to a Network objectives and with wider SEPA objectives. common set of objectives or plan. A Partnership Management Board should be established • Ensuring that the Green Network Strategy for Ayrshire extends beyond the County comprised of representatives of senior management from key stakeholders; their role would be boundaries and links with other networks and green initiatives e.g. Clyde and Avon oversight and advocacy. Representatives from organisations with a key role in delivery should also Landscape Partnership, South Lanarkshire Mining Initiatives, Wind Farm Development meet as a Partnership Delivery Group to plan the Ayrshire Green Network Action Plan and individual etc. projects. It will take time and resources to constitute an Ayrshire Green Network Partnership, whilst • Learning from European wide exemplar projects, networking and best practice e.g. Milton many of the building blocks are already in place resources of time and money should be deployed Keynes fi nancing and management of maintenance, Land Restoration Trust, Emscher to promote partnership working including preparing a partnership agreement and mentoring the Park and Freiberg in Germany and Malmö Sweden. project through to and beyond the appointment of staff.

RECOMMENDATIONS 7.0 67 AYRSHIRE GREEN NETWORK Document Information and Control Sheet

Client Disclaimer

Ayrshire Joint Planning Unit Project Manager: Alan Edgar This Report was completed by TGP Liberator House Landscape Architects Ltd on the basis of Glasgow Prestiwck International Tel : 01292 673760 a defined programme of work and terms Airport and conditions agreed with the Client. We Prestwick Email: [email protected] confirm that in preparing this Report we Ayrshire KA9 1PT have exercised all reasonable skill and KA9 1PT care, taking into account the project

objectives, the agreed scope of works, Landscape Consultant prevailing site conditions and the degree of manpower and resources allocated to TGP Landscape Architects Ltd TGP Landscape Architects (North) Ltd the project. 7 The Square Suite 1 Riverside Centre 95 Morrison Street Frankland Lane Glasgow G5 8BE Durham DH1 5TA TGP Landscape Architects Ltd accept no responsibility to any parties whatsoever, Tel: 0141 429 2999 Tel: 0191 383 9955 following the issue of the Report, for any matters arising outside the agreed scope Project Manager: Christopher Davis of the works. Project Team: This Report is issued in confidence to the Christopher Davis – Director Client and TGP Landscape Architects Ltd Nicola Garmory – Director have no responsibility to any third parties Andrew Gardner – Senior Landscape Architect to whom this Report may be circulated, in Daniel Robinson – Graphic Designer part or in full, and any such parties rely on the contents of the report solely at their Subconsultants own risk. MD2 – Green Planning and Environmental Specialists Unless specifically assigned or transferred within the terms of the Clive Davies – Green Infrastructure Consultant Paul Davies – Environmental Consultant agreement, the consultant asserts and Glenn McGill – Planning Consultant retains all Copyright, and other Intellectual Paul Elwell – Transport Consultant Property Rights, in and over the Report and its contents. Mersey Forest - GIS Any questions or matters arising from this Tom Butlin – GIS Consultant Report should be addressed in the first Dr Susannah Gill – Green Planning Officer instance to the Project Manager.

Document Status and Approval Schedule

Issue Status Description Prepared by Reviewed by Reproduction from the Ordnance Survey mapping with permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofﬁ ce Signed/Dated Signed/Dated © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes the Crown Copyright and may lead to V1 Final Draft Ayrshire Green Network C. Davis A. Gardner Consultancy Study 08.04.11 08.04.11 prosecution or civil proceedings. V2 Final Ayrshire Green Network C.Davis A. Gardner Consultancy Study 10.06.11 10.06.11 TMF Licence No. 100031461 (2011)